Nautical Miles to Furlongs
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1 nautical mile (nmi) = 9.20623558 furlong (fur). Nautical Mile (nmi) is a unit of Length used in Standard system. Furlong (fur) is a unit of Length used in Standard system.

Nautical Mile: A Unit of Length

A nautical mile is a unit of length that is used in air, marine, and space navigation, and for the definition of territorial waters. It is based on the Earth’s longitude and latitude coordinates, and is equal to one minute of arc along a meridian. In this article, we will explore the definition, history, uses, and conversions of the nautical mile.

Definition of the Nautical Mile

The nautical mile is defined as exactly 1,852 metres (6,076 feet; 1.151 miles) by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) since 1929. This definition is based on the length of one minute of arc along a great circle of a sphere having the same surface area as the Clarke 1866 ellipsoid, which approximates the shape of the Earth.

The nautical mile is not an SI unit, but it is accepted for use with the SI by the International Committee for Weights and Measures. The derived unit of speed is the knot, which is one nautical mile per hour.

History of the Nautical Mile

The concept of the nautical mile dates back to ancient times, when navigators used the stars and angles to measure distances at sea. The word mile comes from the Latin phrase mille passus, meaning a thousand paces.

The nautical mile was originally defined as the length on the Earth’s surface of one minute of arc along a meridian (north-south line of longitude). However, this definition varied depending on the latitude and the shape of the Earth assumed by different countries. For example, France defined a nautical mile as one ten-millionth of a quarter meridian using the original 1791 definition of the metre.The United States and the United Kingdom used an average arcminute based on the Clarke 1866 ellipsoid.

In order to standardize the nautical mile, the IHO adopted the current definition in 1929, which was later endorsed by other international organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The United States adopted the international nautical mile in 1954 and the United Kingdom in 1970.

Where Nautical Mile is Used

The nautical mile is widely used in navigation, especially for maritime and aviation purposes. It is convenient to use because it corresponds to one minute of latitude, which can be easily measured with a sextant or a GPS device. It also allows for simple calculations of distances along great circles, which are the shortest routes between two points on a sphere.

Some examples of where nautical mile is used are:

• The definition of territorial waters, which are usually 12 nautical miles from a country’s coastline.
• The measurement of flight levels and air routes for aircrafts.
• The determination of speed limits and fuel consumption for ships and boats.
• The designation of marine protected areas and fishing zones.
• The mapping of ocean currents and wind patterns.

How to Convert Nautical Mile

The nautical mile can be converted to other units of length using simple multiplication or division by a conversion factor. Here are some common conversion factors:

For example, to convert 10 nautical miles to kilometres, we multiply by 1.852:

10 NM × 1.852 = 18.52 km

To convert 50 kilometres to nautical miles, we divide by 1.852:

50 km ÷ 1.852 = 27 NM

Example Conversions of Nautical Mile to Other Units

Here are some example conversions of nautical mile to other units:

• 1 NM = 1,852 m
• 1 NM = 6,076 ft
• 1 NM = 1.151 mi
• 1 NM = 0.54 leagues
• 1 NM = 10 cables
• 1 NM = 800 fathoms
• 1 NM = 2,025 yd

Furlong: A Unit of Length Used in the US Customary System

The furlong (fur) is a unit of length in the US customary system, which is one of the systems of measurement used in the United States and some other countries. The furlong is equal to 220 yards, which is an eighth of a mile. The furlong is also a derived unit in the imperial system, which is the official system of measurement for the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth countries. The symbol for furlong is fur. The furlong is used for measuring long distances and areas, such as the length of a horse race or the area of a farm. The furlong is named after the furrow-long, which was the length of a furrow in one acre of a plowed open field in medieval England. In this article, we will explore the definition, history, usage and conversion of the furlong as a unit of length.

Definition of the Unit

The furlong is a unit of length that is equal to 220 yards. It is defined as 1/8 miles. The mile is defined as 5,280 feet or 1,760 yards.

The definition of the furlong has not changed since its origin in medieval England, as part of the old English system of measurement that was based on natural and traditional units. However, the definition of the mile has changed several times over time, as different standards and methods of measurement were developed by various countries and organizations. The current definition of the mile as based on feet and yards was agreed upon by an international treaty in 1959.

History of the Unit

The origin of the furlong as a unit of length can be traced back to medieval England, when it was used as a measure of land area and distance. The word furlong comes from the Old English words furh (furrow) and lang (long), meaning furrow-long. It referred to the length of a furrow in one acre of a plowed open field, which was a common system of land division and cultivation at that time. The open field was divided into strips or selions, each strip being one furlong long and one rod wide. A rod was equal to 5.5 yards or 16.5 feet. An acre was equal to four rods by 40 rods, or 160 square rods.

The furlong was also used as a measure of distance for horse racing and other sports. The standard length of a horse race was four furlongs, or half a mile. This was later increased to eight furlongs, or one mile, which became known as the classic distance for horse racing.

The furlong was adopted by other countries that followed the English system of measurement, such as the United States and Canada. It was also incorporated into the imperial system, which was established by an act of Parliament in 1824. The imperial system was based on seven base units that could be derived from natural and traditional units. The furlong remained as a derived unit in the imperial system, but it was no longer recommended for use in scientific and technical fields.

Usage of the Unit

The furlong is a unit of length that is used for measuring long distances and areas, such as the length of a horse race or the area of a farm.

The furlong is commonly used in horse racing, especially in North America and some other countries that follow the US customary system. Some examples are:

• Measuring the distance and speed of horses in races.
• Measuring the length and width of racetracks and courses.
• Measuring the height and weight of horses and jockeys.

The furlong is also used in agriculture, especially in rural areas where farms are still measured by acres and furlongs. Some examples are:

• Measuring the size and shape of fields and plots.
• Measuring the yield and production of crops and livestock.
• Measuring the distance and time between farms and markets.
• Measuring the taxes and subsidies for farmers.

How to Convert

The furlong can be converted to other units of length by using conversion factors or formulas. Here are some examples of how to convert furlongs to other units of length in the US customary system, the SI system and other systems:

• To convert furlongs to yards, multiply by 220. For example, 10 fur = 10 × 220 = 2200 yd.
• To convert furlongs to miles, divide by 8. For example, 10 fur = 10 / 8 = 1.25 mi.
• To convert furlongs to feet, multiply by 660. For example, 10 fur = 10 × 660 = 6600 ft.
• To convert furlongs to meters, multiply by 201.168. For example, 10 fur = 10 × 201.168 = 2011.68 m.
• To convert furlongs to kilometers, multiply by 0.201168. For example, 10 fur = 10 × 0.201168 = 2.01168 km.
• To convert furlongs to centimeters, multiply by 20116.8. For example, one fur = one × 20116.8 = 20116.8 cm.