Latitude and longitude are a system of coordinates used to pinpoint any place on Earth. They work together to create a grid that covers the entire planet.
Latitude:
- Definition: Latitude lines run horizontally around the Earth and measure how far north or south a location is from the Equator.
- Scale: Latitude is measured in degrees, with the Equator at 0° latitude. The poles are at 90° north (North Pole) and 90° south (South Pole).
- Range: Latitude values range from -90° (South Pole) to +90° (North Pole).
- Example: Paris, France, is approximately located at 48.8566° N latitude.
Longitude:
- Definition: Longitude lines run vertically and measure how far east or west a location is from the Prime Meridian.
- Scale: The Prime Meridian, located at 0° longitude, runs through Greenwich, England. Longitude is measured in degrees, with the maximum values being 180° east or west.
- Range: Longitude ranges from -180° to +180°.
- Example: Paris is located at approximately 2.3522° E longitude.
Pinpointing a Location:
To pinpoint any location on Earth, you combine its latitude and longitude. For example, the coordinates for Paris are approximately 48.8566° N latitude and 2.3522° E longitude.
How the System Works:
- Grid Formation: The combination of latitude and longitude creates a grid over the Earth’s surface, allowing for precise location identification.
- 2D Representation: Any point can be represented as (Latitude, Longitude), forming a unique pair for each position.
- Maps and GPS: This coordinate system is fundamental to maps and GPS technology, making it possible to navigate and locate positions accurately.
This method of using latitude and longitude allows anyone, anywhere in the world, to identify and communicate the precise location of a point on the Earth’s surface.
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