Basics of Latitude and longitude

As the earth is spherical in shape so it is very difficult to describe ones location of a place or a observer on its surface. The most common practice to locate a place on the Earth is by using the coordinates of latitude and longitude. These coordinates that are measured in degrees offer angular distances from the central point of the Earth.

The Earth revolves on its axis, the terminals of the axis are termed North and South Poles. The line of Equator is surrounds the earth and is an equal distance from both poles. The Equator can be termed as latitude line with a value of 0 degrees. Hence it could be used as a starting point for the measurement of latitude. Latitude values signifies the angular distance between the Equator and observers location on either of hemispheres. Owing to it significance the basics of latitude and longitude must be clear in ones mind.

Latitude:

Lines of latitude are horizontal lines along the equator. With increasing distance from the equator the radii of these circles decreases. The line connecting all the points of a given latitude is called a line of latitude. As these lines are parallel to the Equator, hence these are often termed as parallels. The distance between two Parallels are equal. There are 90 degrees of latitude that run north from the Equator. The North Pole is situated at 90 degrees N. similarly there are 90 degrees of latitude that run south of the Equator. The south South Pole is at 90 degrees S. In the case of commission of directional designators, the northern latitudes are assigned positive values and southern negative values.

Longitudes:

As latitude and longitude basics give a better grasp of the subject, let us discuss the line of longitudes. The line of latitude called meridians are perpendicular to lines of latitude. These line run thorough both the poles. Every line of longitude forms a great circle. In contrast to lines of latitude there is no obvious 0-degree point for longitude. Over the years, many different starting points are used for the measurement of longitude. Finally an agreement was reached to use Greenwich, England, as 0 degrees of longitude. this meridian has been termed as the Prime Meridian. Longitude values denotes angular distance between the Prime Meridian and the locations situated east or west of it for a given point.

For the basic understanding of the longitudes and latitude some basic terms need to be comprehended.

Equator—The line surrounding the Earth that is an equal distance from both the Poles.

Geographic coordinates—Coordinate values for latitude and longitude.

Great circle—A circle formed on the globe by a plane that passes through the center of the sphere. For example the Equator, each meridian, and other similar circles.

Meridian— It is an imaginary arc on the Earth's surface from the North Pole to the South Pole that connects all locations at a given longitude.

Parallel— This circle formed on the surface of the Earth, parallel to the Equator associating all the points of a given latitude.

Prime Meridian— The line of longitude of 0 degrees, used for the measurement of longitude. Greenwich, England has been conferred as prime meridian.

These basics of latitudes and longitude offer you a better understanding of the different geographical phenomena.