Any location on Earth’s surface—or on a map of Earth’s surface—can be described by latitude and longitude. Latitude and longitude are expressed in degrees. Each degree is divided into 60 minutes, and each minute is divided into 60 seconds. Latitude is a measure of the distance north or south of the equator. The equator is the imaginary line that circles Earth halfway between the north and south poles. All lines of latitude circle the planet parallel to the equator. The latitude of the equator is 0 degrees. The latitude of the north pole is 90 degrees north, and the latitude of the south... Show more

Any location on Earth’s surface—or on a map of Earth’s surface—can be described by latitude and longitude.
Latitude and longitude are expressed in degrees. Each degree is divided into 60 minutes, and each minute is divided into 60 seconds.
Latitude is a measure of the distance north or south of the equator. The equator is the imaginary line that circles
Earth halfway between the north and south poles. All lines of latitude circle the planet parallel to the equator. The latitude of the equator is 0 degrees. The latitude of the north pole is 90 degrees north, and the latitude of the south pole is 90 degrees south.
Longitude is a measure of the distance east or west of the prime meridian. The prime meridian is an imaginary line that is perpendicular to the equator. It circles the planet and passes through the north and south poles. It also passes through Greenwich, England. All lines of longitude circle the planet perpendicular to the equator and pass through both poles. The longitude of the prime meridian is 0 degrees. On the opposite side of Earth, the longitude of the international dateline is 180 degrees.
Another aspect of location is elevation. Elevation is the height of a place above or below sea level. It is always measured relative to sea level, which is the average height of the ocean’s surface. It is also the midpoint between

Show less