What are Lines of Longitude and Latitude?

Maps are also divided by other lines. These lines are used to locate places.

Lines of latitude are horizontal lines that circle the world. The distance between these lines is measured in degrees. Each degree is divided in minutes and seconds. By using lines of latitude, you can tell how many degrees north or south an area is from the equator. The equator is at zero degrees latitude.

Lines of longitude are vertical lines that circle the world. By using lines of longitude, you can tell how many degrees east or west an area is from the Prime Meridian. The Prime Meridian is at zero degrees longitude. Lines of longitude are also called meridians.

What are the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer? 

The Tropic of Capricorn is an imaginary line of latitude that is 23.5 degrees south of the equator.

The Tropic of Cancer is an imaginary line of latitude that is 23.5 degrees north of the equator.

The area in between these two lines is called the "tropics."