Because all 360 degrees of longitude are evenly distributed around the whole Earth,
but that whole distance around shrinks as you move from the equator to the poles.
Along the equator, one degree of longitude is about 69 miles (111 km). That distance
progressively shrinks as you move away from the equator, and exactly at the poles,
it's zero! All longitudes converge (come together) at the poles.
The differences are that the Equator in zero line of latitude. While the Prime Meridian is zero line of longitude. Latitude is horizontal and parallel to the Equator, and longitude runs from pole to pole.
The lines of longitude radiate out from the poles. At their point of origin, i.e. at 90o latitude, there is no distance at all between the lines! However, at latitude 89o, very near the poles, the distance between the respective 'one degree' lines of longitude is about one nautical mile. At latitude 48.37o the distance along the line of latitude is 40 nautical miles And a 1o longitude difference along the equator (0o latitude) represents a distance of about 60.1 nautical miles. For calculator, see Related links below this box
175 degrees west longitude and 179 degrees east longitude are 4 degrees apart in terms of longitude. This is equivalent to approximately 276 miles at the equator, as every degree of longitude corresponds to about 69 miles at the equator.
The distance along one degree of longitude is 60 nautical miles at the equator and less at latitudes away from the equator. In fact it is 60 nautical miles times the cosine of the latitude, so 60 at the equator zero at the poles, and 30 nautical miles at 60 degrees north or south..
A nautical mile is 1,852 meters (about 6,076 feet), whether it's along the equator, through downtown San Francisco, across the outfield in Dodger Stadium, between the floorboards in Buckingham Palace, or around the block at my son-in-law's uncle's house.
The differences are that the Equator in zero line of latitude. While the Prime Meridian is zero line of longitude. Latitude is horizontal and parallel to the Equator, and longitude runs from pole to pole.
The lines of longitude radiate out from the poles. At their point of origin, i.e. at 90o latitude, there is no distance at all between the lines! However, at latitude 89o, very near the poles, the distance between the respective 'one degree' lines of longitude is about one nautical mile. At latitude 48.37o the distance along the line of latitude is 40 nautical miles And a 1o longitude difference along the equator (0o latitude) represents a distance of about 60.1 nautical miles. For calculator, see Related links below this box
Meridians are not evenly spaced. They are closer together at extreme latitudes, and farther apart near the equator. Near the equator, each minute of longitude is approximately one nautical mile (6076 feet). At other latitudes, the number of nautical miles between minutes of longitude is approximately the cosine of the latitude.
175 degrees west longitude and 179 degrees east longitude are 4 degrees apart in terms of longitude. This is equivalent to approximately 276 miles at the equator, as every degree of longitude corresponds to about 69 miles at the equator.
The Equator
Firstly, different maps or atlases draw lines of latitude and longitude in varying degrees apart. Although most maps have differences of 10 degrees apart, atlases can be as close as 1 or 2 degrees. Secondly, you might be referring to the major lines of latitude and longitude, such as the Equator and the Prime Meridian. Some maps that are very small only show the major lines of latitude and longitude. The difference between the equator and the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn is 23.5 degrees, while the difference between the equator and the Arctic and Antarctic Circles is 66.5 degrees. The difference between the Prime Meridian and the International Date Line is 180 degrees.
Firstly, different maps or atlases draw lines of latitude and longitude in varying degrees apart. Although most maps have differences of 10 degrees apart, atlases can be as close as 1 or 2 degrees. Secondly, you might be referring to the major lines of latitude and longitude, such as the Equator and the Prime Meridian. Some maps that are very small only show the major lines of latitude and longitude. The difference between the equator and the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn is 23.5 degrees, while the difference between the equator and the Arctic and Antarctic Circles is 66.5 degrees. The difference between the Prime Meridian and the International Date Line is 180 degrees.
111km
The distance along one degree of longitude is 60 nautical miles at the equator and less at latitudes away from the equator. In fact it is 60 nautical miles times the cosine of the latitude, so 60 at the equator zero at the poles, and 30 nautical miles at 60 degrees north or south..
A nautical mile is 1,852 meters (about 6,076 feet), whether it's along the equator, through downtown San Francisco, across the outfield in Dodger Stadium, between the floorboards in Buckingham Palace, or around the block at my son-in-law's uncle's house.
Firstly, different maps or atlases draw lines of latitude and longitude in varying degrees apart. Although most maps have differences of 10 degrees apart, atlases can be as close as 1 or 2 degrees. Secondly, you might be referring to the major lines of latitude and longitude, such as the Equator and the Prime Meridian. Some maps that are very small only show the major lines of latitude and longitude. The difference between the equator and the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn is 23.5 degrees, while the difference between the equator and the Arctic and Antarctic Circles is 66.5 degrees. The difference between the Prime Meridian and the International Date Line is 180 degrees.
One degree of latitude, and one degree of longitude along the equator only, is equivalent to roughly 69.1 miles (111 km). One degree of latitude, and of longitude on the equator only, is also equal to about 60 nautical miles.