Latitude vs Longitude — Difference (with Table & FAQs)
Latitude measures distance north or south of the equator, while longitude measures distance east or west of the prime meridian. These coordinate systems ar
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TL;DR: Latitude measures distance north or south of the equator, while longitude measures distance east or west of the prime meridian. These coordinate syste…
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The main difference between Latitude and Longitude: Latitude measures distance north or south of the equator, while longitude measures distance east or west of the prime meridian. These coordinate systems ar
Latitude vs Longitude — Comparison Table
| Basis | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | Runs east-west, measures north-south distance | Runs north-south, measures east-west distance |
| Reference line | Equator (0 degrees) | Prime meridian (0 degrees) |
| Range | 0 to 90 degrees North and South | 0 to 180 degrees East and West |
| Lines appearance on globe | Parallel circles decreasing in size toward poles | Semi-circles from north to south pole |
| Climate influence | Directly affects climate and seasons | Does not directly affect climate |
| Length of lines | Longest at equator, shortest at poles | All meridians are equal length |
| Example location | India at 8 to 35 degrees N | India at 68 to 97 degrees E |
Key Points
- Latitude determines climatic zones; equatorial regions are hot while poles are cold
- Longitude is arbitrary; prime meridian passes through Greenwich, London
- Both are measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds for precise location
- Every location on Earth has unique latitude-longitude coordinates