How to Locate Parallels & Meridians

Parallels and meridians are the lines on a globe or atlas denoting coordinates of a location.

A world atlas or a globe is covered with lines that run horizontally and vertically that are a set distance apart. These lines are often known by the terms parallels and meridians, respectively. The lines are used to affix coordinates to a location by measurements of degrees, minutes and seconds. An example of this system is the location of an office in Galveston, Texas, which is found at 29 degrees, 16 minutes, 22 seconds north, 94 degrees, 49 minutes, 46 seconds west. Finding the parallels and meridians are key to finding a locations with precise coordinates.

Things You'll Need

• World atlas or globe
• Address and name of location
• Reference point of location
• Small ruler

Instructions

1. Using the world atlas or globe, find the location on the map. It is important to have a globe or a map that gives the name and reference point of the location. The reference point is a dot or symbol that denotes location on a map.

2. Find the horizontal line that is closest to the reference point on the map. This will be the parallel line. If this line runs right through the reference point, it will be the parallel for that location; if it doesn't go right through it, a small ruler can be used to measure distance on the map from closest parallel. This calculation is made based upon 60 minutes in a degree and 60 seconds in a minute.

3. Find the vertical line that is closest to the reference point on the map. This will be the meridian. Follow the steps in step two; use only the vertical lines instead of horizontal.

Tips & Warnings

• Parallels are also referred to as lines of latitude; meridians are also referred to as lines of longitude. A compass used in school to draw circles and angles can be helpful in measuring distances between parallels and meridians on a map.

• When determining distance between meridians and parallels, remember that parallels and meridians are divided in sixties and not in tenths.

References

• World Atlas: Latitude and Longitude - World Map with Latitude and Longitude

Resources

• Maps of World: World Map with Latitude and Longitude