Meridians of Longitude-FAQs

What is the defining characteristic of meridians?

Meridians are oriented in a north-south direction, unlike the east-west parallels of latitude, and they converge at the North and South Poles.

How is longitude measured using meridians?

Longitude is measured in degrees east or west of the Prime Meridian, which passes through Greenwich, Englan,d and is defined as 0 degrees longitude.

What is the significance of the International Date Line?

The International Date Line, an imaginary meridian located approximately 180 degrees east or west of the Prime Meridian, marks the place where the date changes by one day when crossed.

How are time zones related to meridians?

Each time zone covers a 15-degree span of longitude, with the boundaries generally following the meridians. This allows for the standardization of time across different regions.

Why is the understanding of meridians important for global coordination?

The standardization of time zones based on meridians enables the coordination of various global activities, such as transportation, communication, and international business operations, by ensuring time-sensitive activities can be synchronized across different regions.

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.