What are Longitudes and Latitudes?


Longitudes and Latitudes

Latitude and longitude are a system of lines used to describe the location of any place on Earth. Lines of latitude run in an east-west direction across Earth. Lines of longitude run in a north-south direction.

Together, they form the Earth's geographical coordinates and represent the angular distance of any location from the center of the Earth.

These are expressed in degrees and minutes.

Lines of longitude are also called meridians. Lines of latitude are also called parallels.

Two important meridians are the Greenwich meridian and the International Dateline.

The most important latitude is the equator. It is the only latitude line that divides the Earth into two equal halves or into two hemispheres.

Updated on: 09-May-2023

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