Latitude and Longitude

Latitude and longitude are imaginary lines drawn on maps and globes. They help us describe exactly where a place is on Earth. Latitude lines run east to west. Longitude lines run north to south. Together, they work like a grid to pinpoint any location.

Latitude Lines

Latitude lines go around the Earth from side to side, like a belt. The biggest latitude line is the Equator, right in the middle of the Earth. Lines north of the Equator are called north latitude. Lines south are called south latitude. They are measured in degrees.

Longitude Lines

Longitude lines go from the North Pole to the South Pole. The starting line is called the Prime Meridian. It runs through Greenwich, England. Lines east of it are called east longitude. Lines west are called west longitude. Longitude helps us figure out time zones too.

Fun Facts

• Any place on Earth can be found using just two numbers: its latitude and longitude.
• The Equator is at zero degrees latitude.
• Sailors have used latitude and longitude to navigate the oceans for hundreds of years.

Did You Know?

Your home has its very own latitude and longitude numbers that are different from every other place on Earth!