Define Meridian, Longitude, Prime Meridian, and explain the difference between Parallels and Meridians.

Here are the answers to your questions:

1. Answer the following questions:

• (a) What is Meridian? A Meridian is an imaginary semicircle on the Earth's surface that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole, connecting points of the same longitude.

• (b) What is Longitude? Longitude is the angular distance, measured in degrees, east or west of the Prime Meridian. It indicates a location's position around the Earth.

• (c) How many longitudinal lines are imagined in both the east and west directions of the Earth? There are 180 longitudinal lines imagined to the east of the Prime Meridian and 180 longitudinal lines to the west, totaling 360 degrees.

• (d) What is Prime Meridian? The Prime Meridian is the 0° longitude line that passes through Greenwich, London. It serves as the reference point from which all other longitudes are measured, dividing the Earth into Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

2. Give a description of the Meridian.
Meridians are imaginary lines of longitude that extend from the North Pole to the South Pole, forming semicircles. All meridians are of equal length and converge at the poles. They are used to measure longitude and are crucial for determining time zones and precise locations on Earth.

3. Write the differences between Parallels and Meridians.

• Parallels (Latitudes):

  • They are full circles that run parallel to the Equator.
  • They measure distance north or south of the Equator.
  • They are not of equal length; they decrease in size towards the poles.
  • They do not meet each other.

• Meridians (Longitudes):

  • They are semicircles that run from the North Pole to the South Pole.
  • They measure distance east or west of the Prime Meridian.
  • They are all of equal length.
  • They meet at the poles.