Longitude

[David Casseres]

Joe sez
>By the way, can anyone tell me what the difference is between a "mile" and
>a "nautical mile".  This is something I've always wondered about but have
>never been able (or willing to look hard enough) to find a satisfactory
>answer.  I know there's a conversion formula for miles to naut. miles, but
>what is the purpose of the difference?

A nautical mile is very nearly 1.15 statute miles, and is defined as the 
distance represented by one minute of longitude at the equator.  This 
definition greatly simplifies the arithmetic of navigation, at least if 
you're sailing in the vicinity of the equator.


Cheers,
David