For the most part you will be plotting points when given coordinates or providing coordinates for points already plotted. Please focus on the following topics when you study for the quiz:

1. Parallels of Latitudes
   Latitude lines are the horizontal lines drawn on a map. The starting latitude is 0^o and is known as the Equator. Latitude is always the first point plotted and will always be listed as how many degrees North or South of the Equator that point lies. Keep in mind that the two extreme latitudes are the North Pole (90^oN) and the South Pole (90^oS).

2. Meridians of Longitude
   Longitude lines are the vertical lines drawn on a map. The starting longitude is 0^o and is known as the Prime Meridian. This meridian is defined as the longitude line that starts at the North Pole, travels through Greenwich, England, and ends at the South Pole. Longitude is always the second point plotted and will always be listed as how many degrees West or East of the Prime Meridian that point lies. Keep in mind that the extreme longitude is 180^o and is called the International Date Line. New York City is roughly 41^oN 73^oW.

3. Arcminutes
   When locating points that lie between two adjacent latitudes or longitudes (ex. between 41^oN and 42^oN) a smaller unit is desired. A degree of spacing is made up of 60 smaller units called arcminutes. One degree is equal to 60'. Therefore, fractions of a degree are equal to some number of arcminutes. For example, 1/2 degree equals 30', 3/4 degree equals 45' and so forth.

4. Calculating Distance Between Two Latitude Points
   The distance that separates one latitude degree from another (ex. between 41^oN and 42^oN) can be given as 60 nm (nautical miles) or 69 mi (statute miles). Example: Calculate the distance between 23^oS and 25^oS. The latitude spacing is two degrees. Therefore there are 120 nm (2 x 60) or 138 mi (2 x 69) between these two points.

   Keep in mind that the relationship of 1 degree = 60 nm or 69 mi only works for latitudes because longitude line spacing isn't constant. Meridians of longitude narrow as one moves poleward.

5. U.S. States
   Be sure you know the proper two-letter abbreviations for all 48 continental U.S. states!!! Eduplace.com (PDF format) and The National Weather Service Site have nice reference maps.

   Practice your states:

   • Online US States Quiz
   • Place the State Quiz

Helpful Links:

Explores! Latitude & Longitude
Latitude & Longitude Links