Text size
Line height
Text spacing
Topic outline
-
-
In this lesson, we are going to locate Africa on the world map. We shall be able to use latitudes and longitudes. These keywords shall be used in the lesson: Latitude, Longitude, Position, Hemisphere, Tropic, and Continent. We shall be able to understand these words in detail but you can also check the glossary above to learn about them.
-
Latitude and Longitudes: These are imaginary lines that run from East to West on the globe.Latitudes are numbered from 0o to 90o North or South. In the teaching Video below, we are going to learn how to locate Africa on the world map using the imaginary lines. But before that, get an Atlas or globe and identify and locate Africa on the world map.
-
-
Longitudes are imaginary lines that run the North to the South pole. The major longitude is called Greenwich or Meridian. It is marked zero degrees (0o). Longitudes run from 0o to 180o East or West of the globe. Latitudes and Longitudes are used to locate continents, countries, and other places on a map. Using latitudes and longitudes, one finds out that Africa's location extends from latitude 37oN, 34os, and longitude 51oE, 17oW.
-
The major latitudes which cross Africa are:1. The Equator
It divides the earth into two parts called the Northern and southern hemispheres The Equator is marked zero degrees (0O). The part of Africa to the North of the Equator is wide and the other part to the South is narrow.
2. The Tropic of Cancer
It crosses Africa through its extreme Northern part. Tropic of Cancer is marked 23½ON.
3. The Tropic of Capricorn
It crosses Africa through the Southern part. The Tropic of Capricorn is marked 23½OS. -
Summary:
In this lesson you learnt about the location of Africa on the World map in terms of latitudes and longitudes, You started the latitudes which cross through Africa as will as the longitudes: The Equator is te mojor latitude which crosses through Africa while the Prime / Green wich meridian is the majr longitude: The furthest point in Africa in the North 37ON called Cape Bon in Tunisia while the furthest in the south is Cape Agulhas found in South Africa marked 35OS: In the West it is Cape Verde islands marked 17OW while in the East East it is Maritius marked 58oE.
-