Latitude and Longitude Coordinates

What are latitude and longitude coordinates and what do the numbers mean?

Every point on the earth can be described by two numbers - the latitude and longitude of that point. These numbers are commonly used in ZIP code databases to perform radius searches and find the distance between two ZIP codes.

The numbering for latitude coordinates starts at the equator, which is 0 (zero). The equator is the middle, or center, of the earth. Latitude lines go east and west. The area to the north of the equator is known as the northern hemisphere. The area to the south of the equator is known as the southern hemisphere.

Longitude coordinates, which are also known as meridians, stretch from the North Pole to the South Pole. Historically, the longitude lines have been numbered with the Royal Astronomical Observatory in Greenwich, England being 0 (zero). To the east of this longitude line is the eastern hemisphere. The western hemisphere is to the west.

The latitude and longitude coordinate of 0, 0 is in the Atlantic Ocean and is part of the Gulf of Guinea. A buoy has been placed in the latitude and longitude landmark to mark the spot. Other famous latitude and longitude coordinates include the Royal Astronomical Observatory in Greenwich. A brass band has been placed in the location that separates the eastern and western hemispheres.

One of the most interesting latitude and longitude projects is that of Degree Confluence Projects. The organization is attempting to visit and photograph every integer degree intersection in the world. For information on the project please visit confluence.org.

Latitude and longitude coordinates for the 20 largest cities in the United States.