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Question

Difficulty: MediumLocation, Size, and Political Divisions of Africa

The northernmost mainland point of Africa, Ras ben Sakka, lies at approximately latitude 37∘N37^\circ\text{N}, while its southernmost point, Cape Agulhas, is situated at approximately latitude 35∘S35^\circ\text{S}. What is the total latitudinal extent of the African continent?

  1. 72∘72^\circAnswer
  2. B
    2∘2^\circ
  3. C
    37∘37^\circ
  4. D
    107∘107^\circ

Answer

The total latitudinal extent of the African continent is 72∘72^\circ.
Because Africa is bisected by the Equator, its total latitudinal span is calculated by combining its extent in the Northern Hemisphere (37∘N37^\circ\text{N}) with its extent in the Southern Hemisphere (35∘S35^\circ\text{S}), giving 37∘+35∘=72∘37^\circ + 35^\circ = 72^\circ.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the extreme northern and southern latitude coordinates relative to the Equator (0∘0^\circ).
Northernmost point (Ras ben Sakka) = 37∘N37^\circ\text{N}; Southernmost point (Cape Agulhas) = 35∘S35^\circ\text{S}.
The Equator (0∘0^\circ) passes through the middle of Africa, dividing the continent between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
2
Calculate the total angular distance across the Equator by adding the absolute latitude values.
37∘+35∘=72∘37^\circ + 35^\circ = 72^\circ.
When calculating total extent between two points located in opposite hemispheres, the angular distances from the Equator are added.

Key Concept

Latitudinal extent of Africa across the Equator
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Topics

Location, Size, and Political Divisions of Africa

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