Definition of Meridians

Meridians are imaginary lines that run in a north-south direction on the Earth’s surface, connecting the North Pole and the South Pole. They are used to measure the east-west position, or longitude, of a location on the Earth.

Key points about the definition of meridians:

1. North-South Orientation

– Meridians are oriented in a north-south direction, unlike parallels of latitude which run east-west.

– They originate at the North Pole, pass through the Equator, and terminate at the South Pole.

2. Measurement of Longitude

– Meridians are used to measure the east-west position, or longitude, of a location on the Earth’s surface.

– Longitude is measured in degrees east or west from the Prime Meridian, which passes through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England.

3. Converging at the Poles

– Unlike parallels of latitude, which are equidistant from each other, meridians converge at the North and South Poles.

– This means the distance between meridians decreases as you move closer to the poles.

4. Imaginary Lines

– Meridians are imaginary lines that do not physically exist on the Earth’s surface.

– They are conceptual lines used to create a geographic coordinate system for locating and identifying positions on the globe.

5. Numbering of Meridians

– Meridians are numbered from 0 degrees at the Prime Meridian to 180 degrees east and 180 degrees west.

– This creates a 360-degree system of longitude measurement around the Earth.

Meridians, the imaginary north-south lines on the Earth’s surface, play a crucial role in the geographic coordinate system. They provide the framework for measuring longitude and enable the establishment of standardized time zones across the globe.