Coordinates Portable: Meridian
Meridian coordinates are the imaginary vertical lines on Earth—also called lines of longitude—that run from the North Pole to the South Pole. They are used alongside latitude to create a global address system, allowing anyone to pinpoint an absolute location on the planet's surface. Unlike parallels of latitude, meridians are not parallel; they are widest at the equator and converge until they meet at the poles. Key Components of Meridian Coordinates
Understanding Meridian Coordinates
Here’s a breakdown of why they are valuable: meridian coordinates
Understanding Meridian Coordinates: A Complete Guide Meridian coordinates are the foundational building blocks of global navigation, map-making, and timekeeping. They represent the "vertical" lines on a globe—known as longitudes —that run from the North Pole to the South Pole. www.mchip.net What is a Meridian? Meridian coordinates are the imaginary vertical lines on
Yang Meridians (Fingers/Toes to Head) 7. LI (Large Intestine): Points 1 to 20. 8. TE (Triple Energizer): Points 1 to 23. 9. SI (Small Intestine): Points 1 to 19. 10. ST (Stomach): Points 1 to 45. 11. GB (Gallbladder): Points 1 to 44. 12. BL (Bladder): Points 1 to 67 (The longest meridian). Digital maps (Google Maps, ArcGIS) are built on
3. Mapping & GIS
- Digital maps (Google Maps, ArcGIS) are built on a coordinate grid system.
- Geographic Information Systems overlay datasets (population, terrain, weather) by matching coordinates.
Defining the Meridian
At its simplest, a meridian is an imaginary semicircle that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole. Every point on Earth’s surface sits on one of these 360 lines (one for each degree of longitude). When we speak of "meridian coordinates," we are primarily talking about longitude—the angular distance, measured in degrees, east or west of a specific reference line.
Meridians are spaced by degrees (0°–180° east or west), and each degree subdivides into minutes and seconds for finer precision. Modern systems often use decimal degrees to simplify calculations: 45.672° E instead of 45° 40' 19.2" E. Lina preferred decimals for fieldwork; they fit tidily into her handheld device and synced easily with satellite data.