How to distinguish the Eastern and Western Classics
In geography, longitude is an important coordinate that describes the east-west position of a point on the Earth's surface. However, many people are confused as to how to differentiate between east longitude and west longitude. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days, and use structured data and analysis to help you easily master the method of distinguishing the Eastern and Western Classics.
1. Definition of east longitude and west longitude

East longitude (E) and west longitude (W) are divided based on the prime meridian (0° longitude). The prime meridian is located at the Greenwich Observatory in London, England. It is east longitude to the east and west longitude to the west. The following is a comparison table of east longitude and west longitude:
| category | definition | scope |
|---|---|---|
| East longitude (E) | Longitude east of the prime meridian | 0° to 180° |
| West longitude (W) | Longitude west of the prime meridian | 0° to 180° |
2. Practical methods for distinguishing the Eastern and Western Classics
1.Labeling of observed longitude values: East longitude is usually marked as "E" or "Eastern longitude", and western longitude is marked as "W" or "Western longitude". For example, Beijing is located at 116.4° east longitude and can be written as 116.4°E.
2.Use a globe or map: On a globe or map, the area east of the prime meridian is east longitude, and the area west of it is west longitude.
3.time difference method: Time in east longitude areas is usually earlier than in west longitude areas. For example, when Beijing time (East 8th District) is 12 noon, New York time (West 5th District) is 11pm the previous day.
3. The relationship between hot topics on the Internet in the past 10 days and the East-West Meridian
The following are hot topics and content related to geographical coordinates in the past 10 days. The distinction and application of the Eastern and Western Meridians have been mentioned many times in these topics:
| hot topics | Brief description of content | Connection with the Eastern and Western Classics |
|---|---|---|
| Global climate change research | Scientists analyze temperature changes in different longitude and latitude regions | Comparison of climate data between east longitude and west longitude regions |
| International flight route adjustment | Airlines optimize flight routes across east-west longitude | Route planning needs to consider the time difference between east and west longitudes |
| GPS positioning technology upgrade | New generation of GPS equipment improves latitude and longitude positioning accuracy | Precise distinction between east and west longitudes is crucial for navigation |
4. Common Misunderstandings and Corrections
1.Myth: East longitude must be earlier than west longitude: In fact, the time difference between east longitude and west longitude depends on the specific time zone, rather than the simple division of east and west longitude. For example, longitude 170° east may be later than longitude 170° west.
2.Misunderstanding: The division of the Eastern and Western Meridians is absolute: In fact, east longitude and west longitude coincide at the 180° longitude, forming the International Date Line.
5. Summary
Distinguishing east longitude and west longitude is basic knowledge in geography. Mastering this skill not only helps understand maps and globes, but can also be applied in real life, such as travel planning, international communications, etc. Through the structured data and practical methods of this article, I hope you can easily master the skills of distinguishing the Eastern and Western Classics.
If you are interested in other knowledge about longitude and latitude, you can follow the recent hot topics on the entire network, such as "Earth's longitude and latitude and climate change", "Latest progress in GPS technology", etc. to further expand your knowledge.
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