Test: Locating Places on the Earth - 2 - Class 6 MCQ

Using a globe to represent Earth's geography is significant because it provides a more accurate depiction of distances and shapes. Unlike flat maps, which distort the actual sizes and shapes of landmasses due to the challenge of projecting a spherical surface onto a flat plane, globes maintain the true proportions and relationships between continents, oceans, and countries. This accuracy is crucial for understanding spatial relationships and distances on a global scale.

The primary purpose of a system of coordinates, is to accurately determine the location of objects on a map. Similar to how coordinates help locate specific shops in a market or identify chess squares on a chessboard, a system of coordinates in the world of maps enables individuals to precisely pinpoint any location on a given map. This system provides a standardized method for referencing and locating places with accuracy.

Latitude measures the distance from the Equator on Earth. As you move away from the Equator towards either of the poles, the latitude increases. This measurement is expressed in degrees, with the Equator being at 0 degrees latitude and the poles at 90 degrees North and 90 degrees South respectively.

Longitudes are measured as the distance from the Prime Meridian on Earth. The Prime Meridian, located in Greenwich, England, is marked as 0 degrees longitude. Longitudes are measured in degrees, increasing both eastward and westward from the Prime Meridian, with values ranging from 0 to 180 degrees.

The climate around the Equator is generally hot, often referred to as 'torrid'. As you move away from the Equator towards the poles, the climate becomes more moderate or temperate. Closer to the North or South Pole, the climate becomes colder or frigid.

Most countries adopt a standard time based on a meridian passing through them to ensure consistency in time measurement within the country. This standardization helps in various aspects of daily life, such as scheduling activities, coordinating transportation systems, and facilitating communication between different regions within the country.

The lines dividing time zones on the world map do not follow a perfectly straight path because they have to respect each country's standard time. These lines tend to follow international borders to accommodate each country's specific time zone, ensuring that the standard time within a country remains consistent and practical for its residents.

The International Date Line on the Earth serves the purpose of changing the date when crossed. Crossing the International Date Line results in a shift of one day in the calendar. When traveling eastward across the line, a day is subtracted, while traveling westward across the line adds a day. This adjustment ensures that global timekeeping remains consistent despite the Earth's rotation and enables coordination between different regions in terms of date.