Understanding the Concept
* Earth's Circumference: The Earth's circumference at the equator is approximately 40,075 kilometers (24,901 miles).
* Degrees: A circle is divided into 360 degrees.
* Longitude: Lines of longitude run from the North Pole to the South Pole, converging at the poles.
Calculation
To find the distance spanned by 1 degree of longitude at the equator, we divide the Earth's equatorial circumference by 360:
* Distance = (Earth's Circumference) / 360
* Distance = 40,075 km / 360
* Distance ≈ 111.32 kilometers (69.17 miles)
Therefore, 1 degree of longitude at the equator spans approximately 111.32 kilometers (69.17 miles).
Important Note: This distance decreases as you move away from the equator. This is because the lines of longitude converge at the poles, making the distance between them smaller.
