To read longitude and latitude coordinates, follow these key points:

Understanding Latitude and Longitude

• Latitude lines run horizontally (parallel to the Equator) and measure how far north or south a location is from the Equator, which is 0°. Latitude values range from 0° at the Equator to 90° at the poles (north or south). Locations north of the Equator are labeled with "N" (north), and those south are labeled with "S" (south)

• Longitude lines run vertically (meridians) from pole to pole and measure how far east or west a location is from the Prime Meridian, which is 0° longitude and runs through Greenwich, England. Longitude values range from 0° to 180° east or west. Locations east of the Prime Meridian are labeled with "E" (east), and those west with "W" (west)

Format of Coordinates

• Coordinates are usually given in degrees (°), minutes ('), and seconds (") or in decimal degrees. There are 60 minutes in a degree and 60 seconds in a minute, similar to measuring time

• When reading coordinates, latitude always comes first , followed by longitude. For example, 41° 56' 54" N, 87° 39' 19" W means 41 degrees, 56 minutes, 54 seconds north of the Equator, and 87 degrees, 39 minutes, 19 seconds west of the Prime Meridian

How to Read Coordinates Step-by-Step

1. Identify latitude : Read the degrees, minutes, and seconds, then note whether it is north (N) or south (S) of the Equator.
2. Identify longitude : Read the degrees, minutes, and seconds, then note whether it is east (E) or west (W) of the Prime Meridian.
3. Interpret the location : The combination of latitude and longitude pinpoints an exact position on Earth.

For example, the coordinates of Wrigley Field are 41° 56' 54.3732" N (latitude), 87° 39' 19.2024" W (longitude), meaning it is 41 degrees, 56 minutes, and 54.3732 seconds north of the Equator and 87 degrees, 39 minutes, and 19.2024 seconds west of the Prime Meridian

Summary

• Latitude: Horizontal lines, measure north/south from Equator (0°), labeled N or S.
• Longitude: Vertical lines, measure east/west from Prime Meridian (0°), labeled E or W.
• Coordinates format: Degrees, minutes, seconds (DMS) or decimal degrees.
• Latitude is always read first, then longitude.

This system allows you to pinpoint any location on Earth precisely