Latitude

Latitude is a geographic coordinate that specifies the north–south position of a point on the Earth's surface. Latitude is an angle (defined below) which ranges from 0° at the Equator to 90° (North or South) at the poles. Lines of constant latitude, or parallels, run east–west as circles parallel to the equator. Latitude is used together with longitude to specify the precise location of features on the surface of the Earth. Latitude and longitude together are specified as coordinates.

History

The concept of latitude was developed by the ancient Greeks, who divided the world into climatic zones. The concept was later refined by Ptolemy, a Greek astronomer and geographer, who introduced the concept of longitude. The use of latitude and longitude to navigate and map the world became widespread with the development of the marine chronometer, which made it possible to calculate longitude accurately.

Measurement

Latitude is measured in degrees (°), minutes ('), and seconds ("). The equator has a latitude of 0°, the North Pole has a latitude of 90° north (written 90° N or +90°), and the South Pole has a latitude of 90° south (written 90° S or −90°). The latitude of a point on the Earth's surface is the angle between the equatorial plane and a line that passes through that point and through (or close to) the center of the Earth.

Uses

Latitude is used in cartography to create maps. It is also used in navigation to locate a position on the Earth's surface. Latitude is used in conjunction with longitude to form a grid system for locating any point on the Earth.

See also

• Geographic coordinate system
• Geodesy
• Geography
• Global Positioning System
• Great-circle distance
• Meridian (geography)
• Prime Meridian
• Spherical coordinate system

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