Why do we need geographic coordinates

To travel, you need at least approximatelyknow where you're going. Better yet, be sure to understand which point you will hit, and how best to go from point A to point B. There are maps for this. In contrast to plans (cities or a relatively small area

They have a larger scale anddetermine the geographical coordinates of objects. This is done for convenience: with the help of these sophisticated figures we can determine whether the given point is to the north or south of the other, and also to the west or east to move us, for example, to get from St. Petersburg to Moscow.

They say: "Language and bring to Kiev," however, even better the way there will prompt geographic coordinates. What it is? These are conditional lines that are plotted on a map or globe. Naturally, in real terrain you will not find them - except that such a sign can be found in some cities that are directly on the parallel or meridian. Let's consider what latitude and longitude are. Our planet has the shape of an ellipse, that is, not an ideal ball, but slightly compressed to the poles. But for ease of reference, the coordinates are plotted as if the Earth is an absolute sphere.

It, as you know, revolves around its axis. Where this axis is in contact with the surface, there are poles - North and South. If we graphically connect them together, we get 360 conditional lines (after all, the sphere has an angle of 360 degrees). These bands on the map or globe are geographic coordinates indicating longitude. There are two important meridians on Earth. First

th - Zero. He passes through the observatory in the town of Greenwich, near London, and therefore is called by his name. The second one is 180 °, approximately coinciding with the Line for the change of dates.

Geographic coordinates have one more parameterLatitude. If we draw a conditional line not along the rotation of our planet, but across, exactly in the middle, then it will be the equator. If the Greenwich Meridian divides the sphere into the Western and Eastern Hemispheres, then the zero latitude is to the North and South. Since there is a right angle between the equator and the pole through the center of the Earth, there are 90 parallels in each hemisphere. The North Pole is 90 ° N, and the South Pole, respectively, is 90 ° South. All geographical degrees are divided into minutes and seconds.

Thus, any point on the surface of the Earthhas its latitude and longitude. Determine the geographical coordinates was very important to the Mariners, who, being in the middle of the ocean, were devoid of any orientation. They had to understand where and where they were

to be fought. They determined the latitude with the help of an astrolabe - a special device that indicated the angle of the Sun standing above the horizon at noon.

But in order to calculate the geographicalcoordinates of cities, towns and other points, a modern person does not need to use such complex instruments at all. It is enough to look at the atlas to determine the longitude and breadth of the geographical object. Parallels are indicated on the right and left, and meridians are at the top and bottom of the cartographic image of the terrain. And with the help of Google you can find out the coordinates of the smallest points not marked on the map with an accuracy of a second.