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Summaries · Grade 7 Geography › The graticule and position
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The graticule and position

The graticule of latitude and longitude, coordinates, time zones and why we have seasons. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.

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The graticule

The graticule is the grid of lines of latitude (east–west) and lines of longitude or meridians (pole to pole) on a map or globe. The equator is 0° latitude; the Greenwich meridian is 0° longitude. London lies closest to 0° longitude.

Equator 0°Tropic of CancerTropic of CapricornArctic CircleAntarctic CirclePrime (Greenwich) meridian 0°South Pole
The main lines of latitude and the Greenwich meridian.
  • Tropic of Cancer: 23,5° N. Tropic of Capricorn: 23,5° S. South Pole: 90° S.
  • Each degree is divided into 60 minutes, for more exact positions.
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Coordinates

Rule

Always write latitude first, then longitude. South Africa lies south of the equator and east of Greenwich, so: southern latitude, eastern longitude.

Coordinates help a rescue team know exactly where someone is.

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Time zones and the date line

A place’s time zone depends on its longitude. South African time is based on the 30° E line of longitude, so we are two hours ahead of Greenwich. The whole country uses one standard time. As you travel west, local time becomes earlier. Russia spans eleven time zones. The International Date Line is where a new day begins.

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Why we have seasons

The Earth spins around an imaginary axis, and this axis is tilted: the axial tilt. When the Southern Hemisphere leans towards the sun, it is summer here (December). In July we lean away and it is winter. Near the equator the rays fall directly, and day and night are almost equal.

Summer hereWinter here
The tilted Earth around the Sun: summer in the south in December.
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Remember this and test yourself

Remember this: your summary
  • The graticule is the grid of latitude and longitude; with it any place can be pinpointed.
  • Write the latitude first, then the longitude. South Africa has southern latitude and eastern longitude; Cape Town is near 34° S.
  • Each degree has 60 minutes. The South Pole is 90° S; the Tropic of Capricorn 23,5° S.
  • Time zones depend on longitude. SA time is based on 30° E: two hours ahead of Greenwich.
  • The Earth’s axis is tilted (axial tilt), so in December it is summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

Write these points in your book. Read them again the night before the test.

Memory trick

Latitude before longitude (LA before LO). South Africa = South and East.

Flash cards · Tap to turn over

Important words

First say what the word means, then turn the card over.

Test yourself · Part 2

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    Follows CAPS for Grade 7 Social Sciences (Geography). Always check your teacher’s notes and textbook too.

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