Hi Dave et al, How about this as a non-mathematical explanation of the mystery of latitude distances being a constant, using imaginary produce as a "visual aid"? Imagine the Earth as an apple with the north pole as the stem. The lines of longitude correspond roughly the lines you would follow if you cut the fruit into wedges. So the separation between them tapers from 1 nautical mile at the Equator down to nothing at the poles. The lines of latitude correspond more to the lines you would follow if you sliced the apple sideways into rings for baking a pie. Assuming moderate competence in cutting, the distance from line to line is constant - 1 nautical mile. Hope this helps - got to go now - I'm hungry for some reason. Cheers, Philip T. **************************************** Mountain Equipment Co-op 1655 West 3rd Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6J 1K1 Tel: 640-732-1989 Fax: 604-731-6483 email: pid_at_mec.ca Visit our website at: http://www.mec.ca ***************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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