In the area of mathematics, within the measurement systems that exist, one can find some depending on regions where they were implemented. Some of these measurement units date back to ancient systems that come from Rome and Greece, and have been preserved over time.
Over the years, official equivalences have been established to avoid confusion and, for this reason, today we will talk about the league, one of the most used units of measurement in antiquity. Stay with us and keep reading to find out what is and how long is a league!
What does league in units mean?
The league is part of system of measuring length and it has been used for a long time until today. It refers to the distance that a person can travel in one hour, either on foot or using other means. The length covered determines the length of the league, also considering the type of terrain, since each region has different territorial characteristics.
In the old Spanish system, the league was equivalent to 5,572.7 meters within the decimal metric system, where the meter is the basic unit. In Spain, there are variations in league measures between different areas, however in the 16th century officially established the distance of 20,000 Castilian feetequivalent to 5,572.7 meters.
Thus, a marathon completed in seven and a half hours would correspond to seven and a half leagues. In Europe races are held with an equivalent distance to a league, although in some countries its use is not common. In ancient times, it was considered the distance that could be traveled on horseback in one hour.
The league was widely used in chronicles of explorations and terrestrial trips, although it was an imprecise measure that varied according to the circumstances of the traveler, since either walking, on horseback, on mules or in carriages, alone or in a group, with or without load. In addition, it depended on the terrain, obstacles and weather. For this reason, this term was frequently used in the lexicon of explorers, which has generated some controversy as to its exact measurement.
According to its morphology, the league is a feminine word. Its etymological origin comes from the Latin ‘leuca’ and the Greek ‘leukḗ’, meaning ‘white’ or ‘bright’. It is believed to be related to the distance that could be covered in an hour on horseback during the day, when visibility was good.
What is the measure of a league?
In general, a league can be equivalent to 4,828.03 meters, although this depends on the different equivalences that we must consider. These equivalences are based on a retrospective exercise that takes into account the different types of leagues that existedsome of which have been improved or are no longer in use.
For example, the French league equals 4,440 meters; on the other hand, the post league covers 4,000 meters; while the marine league, which is one of the most used today, has a length of 5,555 meters.
In ancient times, this unit of measure of length was used to assess area of a nation and all its territorial divisions. Therefore, there are variations in the measurement of the league according to the territory, being classified according to the itinerary and taking into account factors such as the region.
What distance is a league?
It is considered that a league covers, according to its norm, an amplitude between 4 and 7 kilometers, however this measurement can vary depending on the territory in which we are. For example, The French league is equal to 4.44 kilometers, the post league is 4.00 kilometers and the sea league covers 5,555 kilometers.
In ancient Rome, the league implied 3 Roman miles, which is approximately equivalent to 4,435 kilometers. It is very important to note that most of the measurement units originated in ancient Greece and were later adopted by the Romans, later spreading throughout the world and being used in different parts.
How much is a league?
Within its wide range of equivalences, a league is defined as approximately 4.828032 kilometers if expressed in kilometers. This translates to approximately 4,828.032 meters. However, it is important to note that itThis figure may vary by country.and not for that reason be considered incorrect.
In the case of the Castilian league, which is legal to use, it was used to establish the dimensions of the land. Initially it was set at 5,000 Castilian varas of Burgos, which is equivalent to approximately 2.6 Roman miles or 15,000 feet. In Spain, the Spanish vara is defined as 0.8359 meters, equivalent to 83.59 centimeters. This measure was used in Spain and was extended to its colonies in America. However, there are different types of this measure, depending on the region where it was used.
Furthermore, if we want to know how much equals a league to other units measurement, the following results are obtained:
- 5,280 yards.
- 3 miles.
- 9 square miles.
- 240 chains.
- 24 furlongs.
- 22,812 feet.
- 6,666 2/2 rods.
- 240,000 in.
- 36,130,406,400 square inches.
- 23,040 rods.
- 921,600 square rods.
- 5,760 acres.
- 2,880,000 lines.
These are some of the possible conversions when using the league as a reference measure. Notably these equivalences may vary depending on the context and the region in which it is applied.
How much is a league in km?
The equivalent of a league in kilometers is about 4,828 km. To obtain this result, a mathematical formula is used in which the value in leagues is multiplied by the conversion factor, which in this case is equal to 4.2. Therefore, the calculation is made as follows:
- 1 league = 1 x 4.2 = 4.2 kilometers.
How many hectares are there in a league?
The league is part of the Anglo-Saxon system and has a counterpart in the metric system, which is the hectare. These two units have significant differences in terms of their magnitude. Therefore it is necessary perform a conversion between the two to be able to use the systems properly. In this sense, we can establish the following equivalence:
- 1 league = 0.4828 hectares.
How much is a square league?
The league is a unit of measurement of surface that is equal to itself to the square. It is used to define areas based on the measure of the Earth league. It represents one of the largest standard measurements that existwith approximately 23.309892993024 km².
Although its origin dates back to antiquity in countries like Rome and Greece, this unit of measure has remained in force over time. However, it is important to take into Keep in mind that its value may vary. depending on certain factors, especially the territory in which it is applied. Despite these variations, there are established parameters that allow us to perform conversions accurately.
The league is still used today, even in events such as marathons, where its use is frequent. After reviewing its various equivalences we can understand that your measure is linked to your itinerary. It is necessary to be aware that the territory will affect this conversion, but having fixed parameters helps us to establish it precisely. In addition, its etymology gives us a special meaning when we find this term in stories or descriptions.
