Latitude and longitude
The idea
Latitude describes angular position north or south of the equator. Longitude describes angular position east or west of the prime meridian. A coordinate pair needs both values and clear direction signs or labels. Coordinates identify location, not climate or political status by themselves.
Worked example
A location at 30° north and 20° east is north of the equator and east of the prime meridian. Reversing latitude and longitude can identify a different location.
Another application
A point labeled 15° south, 40° west lies south of the equator and west of the prime meridian. A north–south direction label belongs to latitude; east–west belongs to longitude.
A common misunderstanding
Latitude and longitude are angles, not simple distances in kilometers. Keep the coordinate order and direction labels consistent.
Try it yourself
Locate the equator and prime meridian on a world map. Choose four labeled cities and record their coordinate directions.
Check your understanding
Which coordinate measures north–south position?
Reveal the explained answer
Latitude.