Geographical mile (original) (raw)

The geographical mile is a unit of length determined by 1 minute of arc along the Earth's equator, approximately equal to 1855 metres (6087.15 international feet).

The unit is not used much; it is closely related to the nautical mile, which was originally determined as 1 minute of arc along a great circle of the Earth and is nowadays defined to be exactly 1852 metres.

The Danish and German geographical mile (mil and Meile) is 4 minutes of arc, and was defined as 7421.5 metres by the astronomer Ole R�mer of Denmark. In Norway and Sweden, this geographical mile was only used at sea. See also historical weights and measures.

In France there was also a geographical league, see historical weights and measures.

See mile for the various other miles in use, and also conversion of units.