Location: Position on Earth's Surface
Absolute and relative location are two ways of describing the position of a place on the earth's surface.
Absolute LocationAbsolute location is nothing more than a simple dot--often identified on a grid of the surface of the earth called a "coordinate". Latitude and longitude can be used to pinpoint a location.
For example, the absolute location of New Orleans, Louisiana, is 30° North, 90° West |
Relative LocationRelative location is the relationship of a place to other places.
For example, New Orleans is located at the place where the Mississippi River empties into the Gulf of Mexico, which gives it easy access to ocean and river shipping. Your home has a relative location. Where is it located in relation to schools, stores, and convenient transportation? College Station is below Dallas.
San Antonio is West of Houston. |
QUIZ:
- What is the absolute location (latitude and longitude coordinates) of your state?
- What is the relative location of your school?
- What is the relative location of your home to your school?