Latitude vs. Longitude

Together, latitude and longitude form a grid system on the globe that makes it possible to plot any location. The degree of latitude and the degree of longitude of a location together make up its coordinates. Latitude and longitude are also useful in classifying climate zones (latitude) and time zones (longitude).

Latitude is a set of imaginary horizontal lines that run parallel to the equator and are measured in degrees north or south of the equator up to 90°.Latitudes are sometimes referred to as parallels, because they run parallel to one another.

Longitude is a set of imaginary vertical lines that encircle the globe from the North Pole to the South Pole and are measured in degrees east or west of the Prime Meridian up to 180°. They are close together near the poles and further apart near the equator. Longitudes are sometimes referred to as meridians, because they run north and south like the Prime Meridian.