1 Of the Circles .

The circles expressed in Mappes are fiue , the Equinoctiall , the 2. Tropikes , and the two Polare circles .

The Equinoctiall or Equator , is a circle imagined iust in the midst betweene the two Poles , compassing the whole earth about .

1 This circle deuideth the worlde into two equall parts , that is so saye , the North and the South .

2 It serueth also to know the Longitude of places , which is measured vpon it , and the Latitude which is measured from it , either Northwarde or Southwarde .

3 When the Sunne is in it , the day is equall with the nighte throughout all the worlde .

4 When the Sunne is furthest from it , the day is either shortest or longest .

The Tropikes are those circles which the Sunne maketh about the worlde , when it is furthest from the Equinoctial either Northwarde or Southwarde .

If it be Northwarde it is called the Tropike of Cancer , bicause the Sunne then returning backwardes entreth into that signe .

If it be Southwarde it is called the Tropike of Capricorne , bicause then the Sunne entreth into the signe of Capricorne .

These circles do deuide the temperate Zones from the burnt Zone .

The Polare circles are those which the Poles of the Zodiake doe make aboute the Poles of the worlde , in the space of 24. houres .

They deuide the temperate Zones from the colde Zones : and are so farre distant from their Poles ( that is , the Arctike from the North , and the Antartike from the South Pole ) as the Tropikes are from the Equinoctiall .

The two Tropikes and the two Polare circles do deuide the whole earthe into fiue parts , which are called Zones . Wherof that which lieth vnder the Equinoctiall betwéene the two Tropikes , is called the burnte Zone : the other two betwixt either of the Tropikes and the Polare circles are called Temperate Zones : and the other two vnder either Pole are called colde Zones .

geographical zones

MERIDIES . A ZONA FRIGIDA . B ZONA TEMPERATAAVS . C ZONATORRIDA . D ZONA TEMPERATA BOR. E ZONA FRIGIDA . E SEPTENTRIO

2 Of the Longitude and Latitude .

In reckning the Longitude of the world , the auncient Geographers tooke their beginning at a right line imagined to be drawne from the one Pole to the other , by the Ilandes called the Canaries , beyonde Hercules pillers ( which lyne for this purpose I call the Westerne line ) so that the Longitude of any place is the distaunce of the same from that line Eastwarde , and so rounde aboute vnto the same line agayne .

Some late writers do recken the Longitude from the Westerne line Eastward 180. degrées , and also from the same westward . 180. degrées , which béeing added togither do make . 360. describing it in the middest betwene the two Poles , and deuiding the world into . 2. equall partes , wherof the Westerne they call the Ponent , and the Easterne the Levant .

The latitude is the distaunce af any place from the Equinoctiall circle towards either of the Poles .

Where so euer you are , imagine a poynt or pricke directly ouer your head , which is called Zenith , the distance wherof from the Westerne lyne is the longitude , and from the Equinoctiall the latitude . And for this purpose in the vniuersall Chartes , you haue lines ( called Meridians ) drawne in lengthe from Pole to Pole , distant one from another 10. degrées , beginning at the Westerne lyne , and so Eastwarde , which doe euidently shew the Longitude of any place .

There are also drawne certaine Paraleles from the Equinoctiall towardes either of the Poles , differing one from an other . 10. degrées , declaring the Latitude .

Note that the latitude or distance from the Equinoctiall line , and the eleuation of the Pole in any place are equall .

3 Of Climates and Paraleles .

The Climates & Paraleles serue both for one purpose , that is , the difference of the longest dayes , whiche doe increase within certayne spaces from the Equinoctiall towards either of the Poles .

A Climate is a space of distance from the Equinoctiall line , where the longest day maketh difference of halfe an houre .

The olde writers do make but seuen Climates , and doe name them of some notable and famous place .

1 The first they name of Meroe a citie in Afrike , vnder the burnte Zone , thys conteineth in brodnesse . 7. degrées . 40. mi. It beginneth at 12. deg. 45. mi. It endeth at 20. deg. 30. mi. The longest day . Prin. 12. h. 45. m. The longest day . Fin. 13. h. 15. m.

2 The seconde of Syena , a citie in the confines of Ethiopia , vnder the Tropike of Cancer , conteining in brodnesse . 7. degr. beg . 20. g. 30. m. dies lo. 13. h. 15. m. end . 27. g. 30. m. dies lo. 13. h. 45. m

3 The third is named of Alexandria , a famous Citie in Egypte , conteyning in brodnesse . 6. g. 10. min. beg . 27. g. 30. m. dies lo. 13. h. 45. m end . 33. g. 40. m. dies lo. 14. h. 15. m

4 The fourth hath his denomination of that noble Ilande of Rhodes in Asia the lesse , whose brodnesse is . 5. g. 20. m. beg . 33. g. 40. m. dies lo. 14. h. 15. m end . 39. g. ●●… . m. dies lo. 14. h. 45. m

5 The fifte climate hath his name of the citie of Rome , whiche conteineth in brodnesse . 4. g. 30. m. beg . 39. g. 40. m. dies lo. 14. h. 45. m end . 43. g. 30. m. dies lo. 15. h. 15. m.

6 The sixte of the sea Euxine called Pontus , which is 3. g. 45. m. brode . beg . 43. g. 30. m. dies lo. 15 h. 15. m. end . 47. g. 15 m. dies lo. 15. h. 45. m

7 The seuenth is named of Boristhenis a great riuer in Scythia , whose brodnesse is . 3. g. 15. m. beg . 47. g. 15. m dies lo. 15. h. 45. m. end . 50. g 30. m 16. h. 15. m.

Some do adde the eight Climat by the South partes of England , and the ninth by the riuer Tanais .

The Southerne Climats , haue the same names , putting only this Greeke proposition , Anti , before them .

A Paralele is iuste halfe a Climate , so that one Climate conteyneth two Paraleles .

4 The measure of distance of one place from another .

Diuers nations do diuersly measure the distance of places .

The Egyptians by signes or markes .

The Persians by their Parasangas .

The Gréekes by furlonges .

The Latines by miles , and sometimes by stones or markes .

The Spaniards & Frenchmen by legues .

The Germanes and diuers other nations by myles , and those of diuers length . Those which do write of these matters , do all in a maner agrée in this , that foure graynes of barly do make a finger .

Foure fingers a hande .

Foure hands a foote .

Foure foote a Geometricall pase , whiche is two simple pases .

125. Geometricall pases a furlong .

8. Furlonges one mile .

16. Furlongs a French league , which is two Italian miles .

3. Miles a great league .

30. Furlongs one Parasanga , which the Persians at this day call Farasanga .

40. Furlongs one Germaine mile .

To apply your degrées to the finding out of the distance of one place from an other , by the number of miles ( as they are commonly taken amongst vs in Englande ) you must vnderstande that euery degrée containeth . 60. miles on earth , so that if you multiplie . 360. degrées , which is the compasse of the Equinoctial , by . 60. you shall finde the worlde to conteine aboute the whole circumference of the earth and water . 21600. miles .

If you take your measure of distance from the Equinoctiall line directly either Northwarde or Southward , or else vppon the Equinoctiall line Eastwarde or Westwarde , you néede no more but count your degrées , and for euery degrée count . 60. miles : or if your Chart be true in proportion , open your compasse as wide as those two places are asunder , whose distance you woulde knowe , and apply the same to the Equinoctiall line , and multiplye your degrées as before , and so you shall haue your purpose .

In particuler and Chorographical Chartes you may finde the true distance of any place from another , either by the numbers of longitude and latitude described in the margine of your Chart , or by the Scale which is moste commonly made for that purpose . And if you wante bothe these helpes , take any two places wherof you knowe or may learne the true distance , and measure that , and according to that proportion you may finde out any distaunce in the Chart. ( ⸪ )