How much distance between degrees on long and lat??

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SouthFLTropics
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How much distance between degrees on long and lat??

#1 Postby SouthFLTropics » Thu Sep 16, 2004 10:51 am

General question...how many miles are there between each degree of longitude and latitude?
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#2 Postby mascpa » Thu Sep 16, 2004 10:53 am

Not 100% sure but I believe 1 degree = approximately 60 miles.
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#3 Postby PatInTexas » Thu Sep 16, 2004 10:54 am

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#4 Postby Cyclone Runner » Thu Sep 16, 2004 10:59 am

Degrees of latitude are parallel so the distance between each degree remains almost constant but since degrees of longitude are farthest apart at the equator and converge at the poles, their distance varies greatly.

Each degree of latitude is approximately 69 miles (111 kilometers) apart. The range varies (due to the earth's slightly ellipsoid shape) from 68.703 miles (110.567 km) at the equator to 69.407 (111.699 km) at the poles. This is convenient because each minute (1/60th of a degree) is approximately one mile.

A degree of longitude is widest at the equator at 69.172 miles (111.321) and gradually shrinks to zero at the poles. At 40° north or south the distance between a degree of longitude is 53 miles (85 km).

http://geography.about.com/library/faq/ ... degree.htm
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#5 Postby SouthFLTropics » Thu Sep 16, 2004 11:01 am

thank you for the replies...
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#6 Postby redirectedenergy » Thu Sep 16, 2004 11:27 am

One nautical mile is equal to 1 minute of latitude or longitude (if close to the tropics). The unit nautical mile originates from this one minute. One nautical mile is approximately equal to 1.15 statute miles.
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#7 Postby USCG_Hurricane_Watcher » Thu Sep 16, 2004 1:51 pm

1 degree of LATITUDE = 60 nautical miles (2000 yards) don't confuse nautical with statute miles (1 mile = 5280 ft or 1760 yards.

Never use longitude to measure distance...spacing decreases as you approach the poles.
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