Cosmographia Petri Apiani, per Gemmam Frisium ... iam demum ab omnibus vindicata mendis, ac nonnullis quoque locis aucta ... (1574) - Page 21

Arithmetical computation, or division of Parallels,
showing how far each of them is distant from the equator.
Degree of elevation of the Pole, or latitude of the earth.

Parallels	deg.	min.	Parallels	deg.	min.	Parallels	deg.	min.
First Par.	4	15	Eighth	30	45	Fifteenth	48	40
Second	8	30	Ninth	33	40	Sixteenth	51	50
Third	12	45	Tenth	36	24	Seventeenth	54	30
Fourth	16	35	Eleventh	39	0	Eighteenth	56	30
Fifth	20	30	Twelfth	41	20	Nineteenth	58	20
Sixth	24	15	Thirteenth	43	15	Twentieth	61	10
Seventh	27	30	Fourteenth	45	24	Twenty-first	63	16

On Climates.

CHAPTER VI.

Division of the Earth into 9 Climates.

What a climate is

Whence the climates derive their names.

Through Meroë

Through Syene

Through Alexandria

Through Rhodes

Through Rome

Through Pontus

Through Borysthenes

Through the Riphean Mountains

Through Denmark

Large ornamental drop-cap 'A' featuring floral and scrollwork motifs.Experts in the stars among the ancients divided the earth according to latitude into 7 parts, which they called Climates. We, however, because of modern observation, divide them into 9 parts or Climates. A Climate is a space of the earth enclosed between two parallels, in which the clock changes noticeably, that is, by half an hour. Because by moving away from the equator toward either pole, the days always become unequal. And therefore, whatever number the Climate is from the equator, by that many half-hours its longest day exceeds the day equal to the night. It should also be noted that Climates derive their names from a city, or a river, or a region, or an island, or a notable mountain. The first is therefore called Through Meroë original: "Dia Meroës", Dia, which means "through," and Meroë is a city of Africa, because its center passes through Meroë. The second is Through Syene, because its center passes through Syene, which is a city of Egypt situated under the tropic of Cancer. The third is Through Alexandria. The fourth Through Rhodes. The fifth Through Rome. The sixth Through Pontus. The seventh Through Borysthenes. The eighth Through the Riphean Mountains. The ninth Through Denmark. The southern Climates have the same names, except for prefixing that Greek preposition "Anti," which in Latin sounds "contrary" or "opposite," such as "Anti-Through Meroë," "Anti-Through Syene," etc.

The formula of the aforementioned tradition follows.