Final answer:
One degree of latitude or longitude contains 60 minutes of arc, and this applies consistently across the globe. The Earth rotates at a rate that equates to 15 degrees per hour, meaning each degree of longitude equates to 4 minutes of time. The grid pattern called the graticule uses this division into degrees, minutes, and seconds for precise geolocation.
Step-by-step explanation:
How many minutes are there in one degree of latitude or longitude? In the geographic coordinate system used to locate any point on Earth, one degree is divided into 60 minutes of arc. Each minute can be further divided into 60 seconds of arc. This measurement is similar for both degrees of latitude and longitude. Latitude measures your north-south position from the equator, varying from 0° to 90° north or south. Longitude measures your east-west position from the Prime Meridian, which extends from 0° to 180° east or west.
Since the Earth rotates 360 degrees in approximately 24 hours, one degree of longitude corresponds to 4 minutes of time. This is because the Earth rotates at a consistent rate of 15 degrees per hour (360° divided by 24 hours), therefore each degree takes 4 minutes to pass by a given point. However, the number of minutes does not change with each degree of latitude, and remains a constant 60 minutes per degree.
Understanding the division of the Earth into degrees, minutes, and seconds is crucial for navigation, mapping, and the study of spatial phenomena from a geographic perspective. It reflects the intricate grid pattern known as the graticule, which enables the precise location of any point on Earth's surface.