GeographyCBSE Class 11 · Latitude, Longitude and Time

Parallels of Latitude and Meridians of Longitude (Class 11 Practical Work in Geography, Chapter 3)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

The earth is an oblate spheroid, so a network of parallels of latitude (east-west lines, 0 to 90 degrees N and S from the equator) and meridians of longitude (north-south semicircles, 0 to 180 degrees E and W of Greenwich) fixes location. One degree of latitude is about 111 km; the distance between meridians falls from 111.3 km at the equator to 79 km at 45 degrees and 0 at the poles.

Parallels run east-west and shrink toward the poles, while meridians meet at the poles, so the gap between them falls from 111.3 km to 0.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand The Geographical Grid: Parallels of Latitude, Meridians of Longitude and How to Draw Them

Why this topic matters. Definitions, the latitude-longitude comparison and drawing of a parallel or meridian are standard practical and theory items.

1. Shape and grid. The earth is nearly a sphere; rotation makes it bulge at the equator, so its shape is an oblate spheroid, and the equatorial and polar radii differ. With no natural reference point, a network of imaginary lines is used. Because the earth spins west to east, the North and South Poles are natural reference points. The geographical grid consists of parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude, together called geographical coordinates, used to find location, distance and direction. Units are degrees, minutes (60 per degree) and seconds (60 per minute).

2. Latitude. The latitude of a place is its angular distance north or south of the equator, measured along its meridian as an angle from the centre of the earth. The equator (0 degrees) is the largest circle and divides the globe into two equal halves: a great circle. Other parallels grow smaller towards the poles and are small circles. Poles are 90 degrees N and S. At 1 degree intervals there are 89 parallels in each hemisphere, 179 in all with the equator. One degree of latitude is about 111 km, from 110.6 km at the equator to 111.7 km at the poles. Latitude can be found from the altitude of the sun or the Pole Star. Latitudes mark temperature zones: 0 to 23.5 degrees torrid, 23.5 to 66.5 degrees temperate, 66.5 to 90 degrees frigid.

3. Longitude. The longitude of a place is the angle by which it lies east or west of the Prime Meridian. Meridians are semicircles converging at the poles, cross the equator at right angles and are all equal in length. The meridian through the Greenwich observatory near London is the Prime Meridian (0 degrees). Values run 0 to 180 degrees E and W. The distance between meridians is 111.3 km at the equator, 79 km at 45 degrees and 0 at the poles.

4. Comparison. Parallels are all parallel to the equator and mark temperature zones; meridians all converge at the poles and are used to find local time.

5. Drawing a parallel (20 degrees S). Draw a circle and a horizontal equator through its centre, place a protractor with its 0-180 line on the equator, mark 20 degrees below the equator on both sides, and join the two points on the circle by a line parallel to the equator.

6. Drawing meridians (view from above the North Pole). Draw a circle with the pole at the centre and a vertical line for 0 and 180 degrees. Looking from the North Pole, east and west reverse: east is on the left and west on the right. Measure 45 degrees on both sides, giving 45 degrees E on the left and 45 degrees W on the right.

The Geographical Grid: Parallels of Latitude, Meridians of Longitude and How to Draw Them: key facts

Latitude: Equator 0 degrees: great circle
Other parallels: small circles
Poles 90 degrees N and S
179 parallels at 1 degree intervals; 1 degree about 111 km.
Longitude: Prime Meridian 0 degrees, Greenwich
Semicircles of equal length
0 to 180 degrees E and W; Converge at poles.
Spacing of meridians: 111.3 km at equator
79 km at 45 degrees
0 km at poles; Decreases poleward.
Temperature zones: $T or r i d : 0 t o 23.5 d e g r ees ∣ T e m p er a t e : 23.5 t o 66.5 d e g r ees ∣ F r i g i d : 66.5 t o 90 d e g r ees$; Both hemispheres.

How to answer The Geographical Grid: Parallels of Latitude, Meridians of Longitude and How to Draw Them questions

Distance sums use 111 km per degree of latitude.

1Find the difference in latitude in degrees.
2Multiply by about 111 km.
3For longitude, use the spacing at that latitude (for example 79 km at 45 degrees).
4State the answer with unit and the word "approximately".

The Geographical Grid: Parallels of Latitude, Meridians of Longitude and How to Draw Them in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Walking north

Suppose a hiker walks due north from 20 degrees N to 23 degrees N along a meridian.

About how far did the hiker go?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Difference is 3 degrees.
3 x 111 = 333 km.

Answer: About 333 km.

Memory hook: One degree is 111 km.

Narrowing slices

Suppose a surveyor measures the east-west distance between two meridians 1 degree apart at 45 degrees N.

About how far apart are they?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Meridians are 111.3 km apart at the equator.
At 45 degrees the spacing falls to 79 km.

Answer: About 79 km.

Memory hook: Meridians squeeze to the poles.

Tricks to remember The Geographical Grid: Parallels of Latitude, Meridians of Longitude and How to Draw Them

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

Latitude is a ladder
Rungs (parallels) never meet, equator is the biggest rung
Use it when: Parallels.
Meridians are orange slices
All meet at the poles
Use it when: Meridians.
111, 79, 0
Longitude spacing at equator, 45 degrees, poles (with 111.3 and 79 km)
Use it when: Spacing.

The Geographical Grid: Parallels of Latitude, Meridians of Longitude and How to Draw Them: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Great circle · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

A parallel that divides the globe into two exactly equal halves is the:
(A) Tropic of Capricorn
(B) Equator
(C) Antarctic Circle
(D) 60 degrees S

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The equator divides the globe into two equal halves (1 mark).

Answer: (B)

Example 2: Number of parallels · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

How many parallels are there at 1 degree intervals, including the equator? (2 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

89 in each hemisphere (1 mark).
89 + 89 + 1 = 179 (1 mark).

Answer: There are 89 parallels in each hemisphere and the equator, so 89 + 89 + 1 = 179.

Example 3: North-south distance · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Estimate the distance along a meridian between 12 degrees N and 37 degrees N using 111 km per degree. (3 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Difference = 37 - 12 = 25 degrees (1 mark).
Distance = 25 x 111 (1 mark).
= 2,775 km, approximately (1 mark).

Answer: The latitude difference is 37 - 12 = 25 degrees, so the distance is about 25 x 111 = 2,775 km.

Example 4: Assertion and reason: meridian spacing · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

Assertion (A): The distance between two meridians is greatest at the equator.
Reason (R): All meridians converge at the poles.
(A) Both true, R explains A
(B) Both true, R does not explain A
(C) A true, R false
(D) A false, R true

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Convergence at the poles reduces the spacing away from the equator (1 mark).

Answer: (A)

Example 5: HOTS: area of a grid cell · 5 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

A survey grid cell lies between 45 and 46 degrees N and between two meridians 1 degree apart. Using 111 km per degree of latitude and 79 km per degree of longitude (at 45 degrees), estimate the sides and area of a cell at about 45 degrees N, and explain why a cell of equal degree size at the equator has a larger area. (5 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

North-south side about 111 km (1 mark).
East-west side about 79 km (1 mark).
Area about 111 x 79 = 8,769 sq km (1 mark).
At the equator the east-west side is 111.3 km, so area is about 111 x 111.3 = 12,354 sq km (1 mark).
Because meridians converge poleward, the same degree spacing is shorter at higher latitudes (1 mark).

Answer: The north-south side is about 111 km and, at about 45 degrees N, the east-west side is about 79 km, so the cell covers roughly 111 x 79 = 8,769 sq km. At the equator the east-west side is 111.3 km, so the area is about 111 x 111.3 = 12,354 sq km. Meridians converge towards the poles, so one degree of longitude covers less distance at higher latitudes.

Where students lose marks in The Geographical Grid: Parallels of Latitude, Meridians of Longitude and How to Draw Them

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Saying all parallels are great circles
Equator generalised.
Wrong working
All parallels are great circles.
Right working
Only the equator is a great circle; others are small circles.
Do this: Remember one great circle.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Writing 90 meridians
Mixed with parallels.
Wrong working
Meridians are numbered 0 to 90.
Right working
Meridians run 0 to 180 degrees east and west (360 in all).
Do this: Link with 360 degrees.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Writing latitude without N or S
Hemisphere omitted.
Wrong working
Latitude 20 degrees.
Right working
Write 20 degrees S (N or S with the value).
Do this: Always give the letter.
Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

Always write N, S, E or W with the value.
State 111 km per degree of latitude as an approximation.
Draw neat circles, labelled equator, protractor marks and the hemisphere.

Practice questions on The Geographical Grid: Parallels of Latitude, Meridians of Longitude and How to Draw Them

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
The Prime Meridian passes through:
(A) Mirzapur
(B) Greenwich
(C) Paris
(D) Ujjain
Hint
Observatory near London.
Answer
(B)
Q2 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level
Define the latitude of a place. (2 marks)
Hint
Angle from centre.
Answer
The latitude of a place is its angular distance north or south of the equator, measured along its meridian as an angle at the centre of the earth.
Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Write three differences between parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude. (3 marks)
Hint
Direction, spacing, use.
Answer
Parallels are parallel to the equator while meridians converge at the poles; parallels are about 111 km apart while meridians are 111.3 km apart at the equator and 0 at the poles; parallels mark temperature zones while meridians are used to find local time.
Q4 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Describe the steps to draw the parallel 30 degrees N on a circle. (3 marks)
Hint
Protractor.
Answer
Draw a circle and a horizontal equator through the centre; place a protractor with its 0-180 line on the equator; mark 30 degrees above the equator on both east and west sides; join the two points on the circle with a line parallel to the equator.
Q5 · 4 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency
Between two points on the same meridian the latitude difference is 18 degrees. Find the distance, and compare it with the east-west distance for 18 degrees of longitude at 45 degrees N. Comment on the difference. (4 marks)
Hint
111 and 79.
Answer
North-south distance = 18 x 111 = 1,998 km. East-west distance at 45 degrees = 18 x 79 = 1,422 km. The east-west distance is shorter because meridians converge towards the poles, so one degree of longitude covers fewer kilometres than one degree of latitude.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.Which is the largest parallel?Show answer
The equator.
2.How long is 1 degree of latitude?Show answer
About 111 km.
3.Which meridian is 0 degrees?Show answer
The Prime Meridian at Greenwich.
4.Where do meridians meet?Show answer
At the poles.

The Geographical Grid: Parallels of Latitude, Meridians of Longitude and How to Draw Them: frequently asked questions

Why is the earth an oblate spheroid?

Rotation makes it bulge at the equator.

What is a small circle?

A circle that divides the earth into unequal parts, as all parallels except the equator.

Why are minutes and seconds used?

Latitude and longitude are angular distances, divided in 60 minutes and 60 seconds.