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latitude and longitude
References & Edit History Related Topics
Images & Videos
A globe highlighting the location of Washington, D.C. at the intersection of 39 degrees north latitude and 77 degrees west longitude, with labeled latitude and longitude lines, continents, and oceans for global context. A globe showing lines of latitude, labeled as parallels, with the equator highlighted in red and labeled, and the prime meridian shown crossing at right angles. Continents including North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia are visible. To the right, a list summarizes key facts about lines of latitude, such as their direction, relationship to the equator and prime meridian, and their decreasing length toward the poles. A diagram of Earth showing lines of longitude, or meridians, running from the North Pole to the South Pole and spaced widest at the equator. The prime meridian is highlighted in red, passing through Europe and Africa. To the right, a list summarizes key facts about lines of longitude, including their direction, measurement, spacing, and relationship to the equator and Earth's axis. Diagram showing the difference between geocentric latitude, measured from Earth's center, and geographic latitude, measured from the surface normal, with labeled tangent, normal, pole, and equator lines.
Latitude, longitude, and the prime meridian explained
Cutaway illustration of a globe showing how latitude and longitude are measured as angles from the center of the Earth. The diagram highlights New Orleans at 30 degrees north latitude and 90 degrees west longitude, with labeled lines for the equator, prime meridian, axis, and key continents for reference. A three-dimensional globe featuring a grid of latitude and longitude lines, with labeled parallels, meridians, the Equator, Prime Meridian, and North Pole. A specific point at 40 degrees north, 30 degrees west is marked, and directional arrows indicate north, south, east, and west. navigator's cross-staff
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latitude and longitude: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

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Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Modified link of Web site: Geosciences LibreTexts - Latitude and Longitude. May 25, 2026
Add new Web site: PBS - Rough Science - The Challenge: Measure Latitude and Longitude. Apr 17, 2026
Added cross-references. Jul 09, 2025
Clarified geocentric latitude and geographic latitude. Jul 07, 2025
Questions and answers added. Mar 18, 2025
Removed interactive. Dec 06, 2024
Add new Web site: Texas A and M International University - Center for Earth and Environmental Studies - Introduction to Latitude and Longitude. Jul 30, 2024
Add new Web site: Library of Congress - Research Guides - Latitude and Longitude. Jun 16, 2024
Add new Web site: Rogers Williams University - Latitude and Longitude. Dec 06, 2023
Article revised and updated. Sep 29, 2023
Updated media placement. Sep 20, 2023
Media display location. Sep 19, 2023
Adjusted placement of media. Sep 19, 2023
Added interactive media. Sep 19, 2023
Add new Web site: The Open University - OpenLearn - DIY: Measuring latitude and longitude. Jul 03, 2023
Add new Web site: Geosciences LibreTexts - Latitude and Longitude. Mar 28, 2023
Add new Web site: Journey North - Understanding Latitude and Longitude. Aug 31, 2022
Media added. Jan 06, 2021
Corrected display issue. Oct 30, 2020
Media added. Jan 06, 2020
Add new Web site: ThoughtCo. - What Are Latitude and Longitude Lines on Maps? Oct 03, 2018
Corrected display issue. Jun 28, 2018
Add new Web site: National Geographic - Latitude. Mar 20, 2013
Added diagram depicting geocentric latitude and geographic latitude. Mar 07, 2012
Text added to clarify the differences between geocentric latitude and geographic latitude. Nov 22, 2010
Added new Web site: Social Studies for Kids - Latitude and Longitude. May 11, 2009
Added new Web site: KidsGeo.com - Geography For Kids - Latitude. Apr 30, 2009
Media added. Mar 10, 2008
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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