Latitude/Longitude Coordinates

Latitude and longitude are spherical coordinates used to locate a point on the earth. Many maps do not need to take the curvature of the earth into account. For maps covering relatively small land areas, such as a state or small group of states, the earth can be assumed to be flat. In these cases, the latitude/longitude coordinates can be plotted on a simple grid system. Maps plotted in this way can use different scaling in the two dimensions to minimize distortion on the map. For more information on scaling Unprojected Lat/Long maps, see Using Scaling to Minimize Distortion in Latitude/Longitude Projects.

Graticule lines reflect the project’s coordinate system.

For larger areas, the curvature of the earth should be taken into account. For these purposes, the map can be plotted using a projection.

Didger only plots latitude/longitude coordinates in decimal degrees. You can see Latitude/Longitude Coordinates in Decimal Degrees for information on converting degrees-minutes-seconds to decimal degrees.

Latitude

Latitude is the Y coordinate and defines north-south global position measured from the equator. Lines of constant latitude are called parallels because they define a series of rings parallel to the equator. Parallels run east-west, but define north-south position on the globe. Parallels are designated in degrees from 0° at the equator to 90° at the poles. Didger uses the convention that parallels are positive north of the equator (north latitudes), and negative south of the equator (south latitudes). Designations such as 45° indicate a position 45° north of the equator, while -65° indicates a position 65° south of the equator. At any position on the globe, the distance covered by a degree of latitude remains nearly constant.

Longitude

Longitude is the X coordinate and indicates east-west position on the globe. Lines of constant longitude are called meridians. Meridians lie at right angles to the parallels and are half-circles drawn from the North Pole to the South Pole. One meridian is designated as the prime meridian. The prime meridian most commonly in use in the United States runs through Greenwich, England, although there are several other prime meridians in use throughout the world. Longitude is measured 180° east and 180° west from the prime meridian. In Didger, longitude is positive east (east longitude) of the prime meridian, and negative west of the prime meridian (west longitude). A designation such as -105° is used to indicate a location 105° west of the prime meridian. Meridians converge at the poles so the distance covered by one degree of longitude decreases as you move north or south from the equator.