IGCSE Travel and Tourism Practice Exam

How is longitude measured?

1. In kilometers from the equator

2. In degrees east or west from the prime meridian

3. In nautical miles

4. In time zones

The correct answer is: In degrees east or west from the prime meridian

Longitude is measured in degrees east or west from the prime meridian, which is located at zero degrees longitude. This system divides the Earth into two halves: the Eastern Hemisphere and the Western Hemisphere. Each degree of longitude represents a specific angular measurement around the Earth and can be further divided into minutes and seconds for more precise locations. This method allows for the identification of a precise location on the globe in combination with latitude, which is measured north or south from the equator. Understanding longitude is essential for navigation and mapping, as it helps determine time zones and influences climate and geography. The other options present different measurement systems or concepts that do not pertain to how longitude is defined or used. For instance, kilometers and nautical miles are units of distance, not angles. Time zones are a consequence of the Earth's rotation and the division of longitude but do not measure longitude directly.