Geography Chapter-02: Globe - Latitudes and Longitudes

1. Answer the following questions briefly

(a) What is the true shape of the earth?

Earth is slightly flattened at the North and the South Poles and bulge in the middle. The true shape of the earth is a sphere flattened at the poles. Such a shape is called a geoid.

(b) What is a globe?

Globe is a true model (miniature form) of the earth. It shows the earth in its actual shape, with all continents, oceans, etc marked at their proper places.

(c) What is the latitudinal value of the Tropic of Cancer?

The Tropic of Cancer lies at 23½º North of the equator.

(d) What are the three heat zones of the Earth?

The three heat zones of the Earth are:

  1. Torrid Zone
  2. Temperate Zone
  3. Frigid Zone

(e) What are parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude?

All imaginary parallel circles from the equator to the poles are called parallels of latitude. These circles have varying centres and all these central points lie on the same line: the axis of the earth.

The imaginary set of semi-circle lines that run from North Pole to South Pole are called meridians of longitude. These circles have the same centre, which is also the centre of the earth.

(f) Why does the torrid zone receive maximum amount of heat?

Torrid zone lies between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. The mid-day sun is exactly overhead at least once a year on all latitudes in this area. Therefore, torrid zone receive maximum amount of heat.

(g) Why is it 5.30 p.m. in India and 12.00 noon in London?

London is situated at 0º longitude i.e., Greenwich mean time (GMT). India, located east of Greenwich at 82°30' E, is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of GMT. So, when it is 5.30 p.m. in India, it is 12.00 noon in London.

India and the United Kingdom lie on different longitudes. Each degree of longitude corresponds to a difference of four minutes. This is because the earth rotates 360° in 24 hours, or 1° in 4 minutes. The standard meridian of India is 82°30' E, and that of London is 0°. This means a difference of 4 minutes x 82.5 = 330 minutes = 5.5 hours. So when it is 12 noon in London, it is 5.30 p.m. in India.

2. Tick the correct answers.

(a) The value of the prime meridian is

  • (i) 90° 
  • (ii) 0° 
  • (iii) 60°

► (ii) 0° 

(b) The frigid zone lies near

  • (i) the Poles 
  • (ii) the Equator 
  • (iii) the Tropic of Cancer

► (i) the Poles 

(c) The total number of longitudes are

  • (i) 360 
  • (ii) 180 
  • (iii) 90

► (i) 360 

(d) The Antarctic circle is located in

  • (i) the Northern hemisphere
  • (ii) the Southern hemisphere
  • (iii) the Eastern hemisphere

► (ii) the Southern hemisphere

(e) Grid is a network of

  • (i) parallels of latitudes and meridians of longitudes
  • (ii) the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn
  • (iii) the North Pole and the South Pole

► (i) parallels of latitudes and meridians of longitudes

3. Fill in the blanks.

(a) The Tropic of Capricorn is located at _________________.

► 23½o south of the Equator.

(b) The Standard Meridian of India is ____________________.

► 82½o E.

(c) The 0° Meridian is also known as ____________________.

► Prime Meridian

(d) The distance between the longitudes decreases towards___________.

► poles

(e) The Arctic Circle is located in the ____________ hemisphere.

► Northern

Figure

Draw a diagram of the globe showing the earth's axis, the Equator, Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, Arctic Circle and Antarctic Circle.