. Europe and other continents . igure 21 how the meridians converge towardthe poles, coming nearer and nearer together until theyfinally reach the poles. Since they meet at these twopoints, though spreading far apart at the equator, it is plainthat they cannot be parallel (Fig. 20). Degrees of longi-tude, therefore, are not of the same length in all the equator, which is 25,000 miles in length, each ofthe 360° is about 69 miles ; but where the meridians cross 20 GENERAL GEOGRAPHY the smaller Arctic Circle, the length of a degree of longi-tude is much less. To number the circles of lo
. Europe and other continents . igure 21 how the meridians converge towardthe poles, coming nearer and nearer together until theyfinally reach the poles. Since they meet at these twopoints, though spreading far apart at the equator, it is plainthat they cannot be parallel (Fig. 20). Degrees of longi-tude, therefore, are not of the same length in all the equator, which is 25,000 miles in length, each ofthe 360° is about 69 miles ; but where the meridians cross 20 GENERAL GEOGRAPHY the smaller Arctic Circle, the length of a degree of longi-tude is much less. To number the circles of longitude, a prime or zeromeridian must be selected from which to one most commonly chosen for this purpose is thatpassing through Greenwich near London. All circlesof lonsritude east of this meridian are numbered as east longitude (E. Long.) untilthe opposite side of theearth, or meridian 180°,is reached (Fig. 21). Allwest of the Greenwichg meridian, as far as 180°,are numbered as westlongitude (W. Long.). W&. The 180th meridian is acontinuation, on the otherside of the earth, of theGreenwich or zero meridian, *° s°° Fig. 20. The earth, cut in halves alona: the Green-wich meridian, showing some of the and the two together make ameridians. complete circle. Hence we may speak of circles oflongitude as well as circles of latitude. Why must themeridian marked 180° E. Long, be the same as the one marked180° W. Which meridian passes near New York ? Den-ver ? Vienna ? Jerusalem ? Find the latitude and longitude of Chicago. Of NewOrleans. St. Petersburg. Eome. Peking. If a large map is made of a small part of the earth, thecircles of latitude and longitude are too far apart to be of muchuse. Therefore, it is customary to divide each degree intosixty parts called minutes, just as each hour is divided intosixty parts. Each minute of latitude and longitude is dividedinto sixty parts called seconds, as each minute of time is divided MAPS. {LATITUDE AND LONG
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