" "By indicating the 51° NB on our signs, we point out to residents and visitors what is unique about the location of Mechelen," says alderman of Public Works Bart De Nijn. The former teacher also sees opportunities for small school excursions. “Geography teachers can start lessons about coordinates and astrological observations by visiting one of our boards. The boards literally place Mechelen on the geographic map, as it were,” explains alderman De Nijn.
The signs indicate with a line where the effective latitude runs. In addition, people can read via a QR code on the website of the city of Mechelen what the position of the latitude means and what it is used for.
"The line of 51° north also flirts with the Mechelen-Zemst border. As a municipality, we are in favor of good cooperation with our neighboring towns and municipalities. This is something we already have some experience in due to the works on the Tervuursesteenweg that we have completed. approached together", indicates first alderman and alderman of Public Works of Zemst Veerle Geerinckx.
Only one latitude line runs through Flanders – just like through Wallonia: the 50th. The country is crossed by four degrees of longitude. The combination of latitude and longitude is used for geographical position indications. In addition, latitude is also important for astronomical observations. For example, someone who is at the North Pole will see the North Star directly above him. In other words: yesterday, September 23, early autumn, the sun was exactly 51° with respect to the zenith in the afternoon.
Coincidentally, in the following weeks a section of the VRT program 'Everyone famous' will be about getting off the 51st parallel on foot, from east to west, from the Maas to the coast. So reporter Lidewij will also find these signs on her path.
The signs will be posted at the following locations:
• Willendriestraat t.h.v. no. 14
• Leuvensesteenweg t.h.v. no. 697
• Tervuursesteenweg t.h.v. no. 444
• Jubellaan t.h.v. no.84
• Brusselsesteenweg t.h.v. no. 528
• Zemstbaan t.h.v. no. 130
• Pikkerie (near the border with Zemst)
The QR code leads to the following webpage: www.mechelen.be/content/18524
Source: City of Mechelen
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Willendriestraat 14, Mechelen, Belgium"
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