answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

1). They are both intervals on the curved surface of a sphere, so units of linear measurement

would not do the job.

2). In the case of longitude, all longitudes merge (come together) at the north and south poles.

So the distance represented by 1 degree of longitude is not the same distance everywhere. It

depends on your latitude.

User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

They are meausered in angles and hence expressed in angles

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why are latitudes and longitudes always expressed in angles?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

What is the measuring units for latitude and longitude?

Latitude and longitude are angles, so they can be expressed in any angle units. Possibilities include radians, degrees, grads, etc. Out of tradition that goes back to the ancient Greeks who invented geographic coordinates, they're virtually always expressed in degrees and their sub-parts. Sub-parts of degrees can be either decimal degrees, or the clunky and unwieldy minutes and seconds.


What do lines of latitude measure What do lines of longitude measure?

The lines don't measure anything, any more than the marks on a ruler do. Latitude and longitude are angles on the Earth's surface, measured between zero- references and the location you're trying to find or describe. Some maps and globes have some latitudes and longitudes marked on them, to help you estimate the angles. Just like the marks on a ruler.


How are latitude and the longitude measured the unit?

Latitude and longitude are angles, and can be expressed in any angle unit. The 'degree' and its sub-divisions have always been the most popular.


What are longitude and longitude measured in?

they are measured in degrees


What is the vertical lines around the globe also called?

The lines printed on some globes and some maps have no names, any more thanthe lines on rulers and tape measures have. They're all used to show the positionof a few even multiples of some units of measurement.The lines on a tape measure mark off multiples of inches, feet, meters, or yards.The lines on a measuring cup mark off multiples of ounces or liters.The lines on maps and globes mark off multiples of angle degrees. The anglesrepresent longitudes if they're marked off in the east/west direction, and latitudeif they're marked off in the north/south direction. Longitudes and latitudes aremeasurements of angles that describe the location of places on the Earth.

Related questions

What is the measuring units for latitude and longitude?

Latitude and longitude are angles, so they can be expressed in any angle units. Possibilities include radians, degrees, grads, etc. Out of tradition that goes back to the ancient Greeks who invented geographic coordinates, they're virtually always expressed in degrees and their sub-parts. Sub-parts of degrees can be either decimal degrees, or the clunky and unwieldy minutes and seconds.


How do you convert lat and long to meters?

You don't. Latitudes and longitudes are angles, whereas meters are used to describe lengths and distances. There are methods to calculate the distance between one latitude/longitude and another. They're straightforward and not 'difficult', but they're far too complex to describe here, and are almost always done with calculators or computers nowadays.


How many lines in latitude and longitude?

Latitude and longitude are angles that describe the location of a point on the Earth's surface. Longitudes range from zero to 180 degrees east or west. Latitudes range from zero to 90 degrees north or south. There are no official 'lines'. Some maps or globes have some lines printed on them to show where a few latitudes and longitudes are, and other maps and globes have no lines at all printed on them. I have mapping software that can print 324,000 latitude lines and 648,000 longitude lines if I want them, but I have never needed them yet.


What do lines of latitude measure What do lines of longitude measure?

The lines don't measure anything, any more than the marks on a ruler do. Latitude and longitude are angles on the Earth's surface, measured between zero- references and the location you're trying to find or describe. Some maps and globes have some latitudes and longitudes marked on them, to help you estimate the angles. Just like the marks on a ruler.


What are angles that are always congruent?

Angles that are always congruent are applesauce angles


What angles Are always supplementary angles?

Angles that add up to 180 degrees are always supplementary


What are the angles measures in degrees and radian?

Any angle can be measured in degrees or in radians.But the question seems to be: What are corresponding radian measures for the angles expressed in degrees? To that question there is no answer because the possible list of "degree angles" to be expressed in radians would be unlimited.


What angles are always congruent?

vertical angles


Which angles are always congruent?

right angles


Are Equal angles are always congruent?

the shape? no, not always. but they are always at least similar figures. but the angles alone are always congruent


Are supplementary angles always linear pair?

Supplementary angles are angles whose sum always equals 180 degrees.


The prime meridian is an imaginary line from which lines of what?

The Prime Meridian is an imaginary line. All longitudes are reckoned as angles from it, and all parallels of latitude cross it.