Geography and Astronomy Terms

Front

Latitude

Back

A geographic coordinate that specifies the north-south position of a point on the Earth's surface.

Front

Longitude

Back

A geographic coordinate that specifies the east-west position of a point on the Earth's surface.

Front

Equator

Back

An imaginary line around the middle of the Earth, equidistant from the North Pole and South Pole.

Front

Prime Meridian

Back

The planet's line of zero degrees longitude, from which all other longitudes are measured.

Front

North Pole

Back

The northernmost point on Earth, 90 degrees North

Front

South Pole

Back

The southernmost point on Earth, 90 degrees South

Front

Tropic of Cancer

Back

The circle of latitude on the Earth that marks the most northerly position at which the Sun can be directly overhead.

Front

Tropic of Capricorn

Back

The circle of latitude on the Earth that marks the most southerly position at which the Sun can be directly overhead.

Front

Arctic Circle

Back

A line of latitude located at approximately 66.5 degrees north of the equator.

Front

Antarctic Circle

Back

A line of latitude located at approximately 66.5 degrees south of the equator.