What direction do longitude lines run?

What direction do longitude lines run?

• A. North and south
• B. East and west
• C. Horizontal across the Earth
• D. Diagonal from pole to pole

Answer: (A)

Longitude lines, also known as meridians, run from the North Pole to the South Pole. This means they intersect at both poles and are oriented vertically on maps and globes. Understanding this concept is essential for navigating and reading maps, as longitude helps to determine the east-west position of a location on Earth. While the assertion that longitude lines run north and south is accurate, it is also helpful to recognize that latitude lines run in a different manner - from east to west - and help to define the north-south position. The horizontal description would apply to latitude, not longitude. Furthermore, the idea of diagonal lines does not accurately describe longitude as they are strictly vertical. Therefore, the correct choice reflects the fundamental geographic principle regarding the orientation of these lines.

Longitude lines, also known as meridians, run from the North Pole to the South Pole. This means they intersect at both poles and are oriented vertically on maps and globes. Understanding this concept is essential for navigating and reading maps, as longitude helps to determine the east-west position of a location on Earth.

While the assertion that longitude lines run north and south is accurate, it is also helpful to recognize that latitude lines run in a different manner - from east to west - and help to define the north-south position. The horizontal description would apply to latitude, not longitude. Furthermore, the idea of diagonal lines does not accurately describe longitude as they are strictly vertical. Therefore, the correct choice reflects the fundamental geographic principle regarding the orientation of these lines.