Latitude and longitude are imaginary lines drawn over maps to find out the exact location of a particular place. Latitudes are the lines that run parallel to the equator and measure the north-south direction. They are measured from the equator, with positive values going north and negative values going south. Each degree of latitude is approximatly 69 miles apart. Longitude are vertical lines that run perpendicular to the latitudes and measure the east-west direction. It is measured in relation to the Prime Meridian (which is the longitude that runs through Greenwich, England), with positive values going east and negative values going west. Latitude and longitude are measured by degrees, minutes and seconds.
Locate a specific point on a map with latitude and longitude markings, then locate the latitude line nearest that spot. Use the map key to calculate the distance between each degree. Add or subtract the number of minutes to the specific point. Locate the nearest longitude line and do the same. There are 60 minutes (") in each degree and 60 seconds in each minute. The intersection of these imaginary lines is the latitude and longitude of that specific point.
Use an online tool to determine latitude and longitude. Place your cursor over a specific point on the map. Click on the location and the latitude and longitude will appear in the boxes below the map. You can also enter a street address in many online tools and the latitude and longitude will be calculated for you.
Download one of the many location applications to your smartphone to find latitude and longitude.
