However, the end points of the imaginary axis of the earth on which it rotates, provide us two basic points of reference. These end points of the earth’s axis are called North Pole and South Pole. These are the fixed points on the earth.

We can locate places on the globe by determining where lines on latitude and longitude cross. For instance, New Orleans, Louisiana is approximately 30N (latitude) and 90W (longitude). Mark X on New Orleans on your globe.

A terrestrial globe shows landmasses and water bodies. It might show nations and major cities and the network of latitude and longitude lines. Some have raised relief to show mountains and other large landforms. A celestial globe shows notable stars, and may also show positions of other prominent astronomical objects.

These lines are called parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude. Two of these imaginary reference lines, the equator and the prime meridian, are called primary reference lines because they are where we start the numbering system.

Question: How many points are there on the globe where, by walking one mile south, then one mile east and then one mile north, you would reach the place where you started? Answer: The trivial answer to this question is one point, namely, the North Pole.

Arctic Ocean

There are four imaginary lines on an earth globe/map: The Equator; The Prime Meridian, The Tropic of Cancer and The Tropic of Capricorn. Only one continent has all four of these imaginary lines passing through it.

latitude lines. Imaginary lines running horizontally around the globe. Also called parallels, latitude lines are equidistant from each other.

the equator

In 2003, a refined result was yielded by Holger Isenberg: 40°52′N 34°34′E, also in Turkey, near the district of İskilip, Çorum Province, approx. 200 km northeast of Ankara. In 2016, Google Maps marked Isenberg’s result of 40°52′N 34°34′ECoordinates: 40°52′N 34°34′E as the geographical center of Earth.

Answer: A. Equator. Explanation: The Equator is another of the Earth’s great circles.

90 N

Small Circles are lines that do not pass through the center of the earth. All Parallels other than the Equator are Small Circles. STANDARD TIME ZONES. The earth undergoes one complete rotation along its axis in 24 hours. For a complete rotation on its axis, the earth passes through 360 degrees.

South Pole, 90 degrees S (infinitely small circle)

: a circle formed on the surface of a sphere by the intersection of a plane that does not pass through the center of the sphere specifically : such a circle on the surface of the earth — compare great circle.

A Small Circle is any circle on the surface of a sphere that is not a Great Circle, i.e. the centre of Small Circles is not at the centre of the earth. Parallels of Latitude (other than the Equator are Small Circles.)

Planes travel along the shortest route in 3-dimensional space. This route is called a geodesic or great circle. While map projections distort these routes confusing passengers, the great circle path is the shortest path between two far locations. This is why pilots fly polar routes saving time and distance.

Ask the Captain: Why don’t planes fly in a ‘straight line?’ Answer: It is shorter to fly the Great Circle route than a straight line due to the circumference of the earth being so much greater at the equator than near the poles. Q: Captain, I often follow trans-Atlantic flights between Europe and the USA.

The polar regions have special navigation concerns in the form of the magnetic fields which permeate them. These can make it difficult for planes to navigate because the polar areas interfere with magnetic navigational tools.