Facts About Latitude and Longitude:
Latitude:
Imaginary lines called “lines of latitude,” or “parallels”.
Latitude measures distance north or south of the equator.
Lines of latitude are parallel to each other.
The equator marks 0 degrees latitude.
The equator is the only line of latitude that is a Great Circle.
Latitude is measuring degrees. Latitude is measured from 0
degrees to 90 degrees north or south from the equator.
The North Pole is 90 degrees N. latitude.
The South Pole is 90 degrees S. latitude.
Latitude is always written or given first, before longitude.
Longitude:
All lines of longitude are great circles.
All lines of longitude meet at the N and S Poles.
Lines of Longitude are not parallel because they meet at the poles.
Lines of longitude measure distance east and west of the Prime
Meridian.
The International Date Line is 180 degrees longitude; it is neither
east or west.
The length of a degree of longitude gradually decreases as it nears
the poles. Longitude lines are also called “meridians.”