Definition

Latitude is a geographic coordinate that specifies the north-south position of a point on the Earth's surface. It is measured in degrees, with the equator being at 0° latitude and the North Pole at 90° north latitude. Latitude is used in conjunction with longitude to define the location of a place on the Earth's surface.

Here are a few examples of latitude:

  1. 0° latitude: The equator is an imaginary circle around the Earth that is located at 0° latitude. It is the line of demarcation between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
  2. 25° north latitude: This is a location that is located 25° north of the equator. Some cities that are located around 25° north latitude include Miami, Florida (25.77° N) and Lima, Peru (12.05° S).
  3. 45° north latitude: This is a location that is located 45° north of the equator. Some cities that are located around 45° north latitude include Denver, Colorado (39.74° N) and Berlin, Germany (52.52° N).
  4. 90° north latitude: The North Pole is located at 90° north latitude. It is the northernmost point on the Earth's surface and is located in the Arctic Ocean.

Latitude is usually expressed in degrees, minutes, and seconds, with each degree being divided into 60 minutes and each minute being divided into 60 seconds. For example, the latitude of New York City is 40.7128° N, which is equivalent to 40° 42' 44.8" N.