Question 1

What is a nautical mile?

Accepted Answer

A nautical mile is 1.852 km (1.15 statute miles), defined as one minute of latitude. Used in maritime and aviation navigation.

Question 2

Why use nautical miles?

Accepted Answer

Nautical miles match Earth's geometry: 60 nautical miles = 1 degree of latitude. This simplifies navigation calculations.

Question 3

Is this conversion factor exact?

Accepted Answer

Metric-to-metric conversions are exact (1 km = 1000 m). Imperial-to-metric factors like 1 inch = 2.54 cm are exact by international agreement.

Question 4

Why do some countries use different units?

Accepted Answer

Historical reasons - the metric system spread from France after 1795. The US, UK, and a few others retained older systems. Science uses metric worldwide.

Nautical Miles to Kilometers Converter

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