Latitude & Longitude
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Definition
Latitude and longitude are a geographic coordinate system using angular degrees to uniquely identify any point on Earth's surface, with latitude ranging ±90° and longitude ±180°.
Explanation
Latitude measures distance north or south of the equator (0°), while longitude measures east or west of the Prime Meridian through Greenwich, England. One degree of latitude equals approximately 111 km regardless of position, but one degree of longitude shrinks to zero at the poles. GPS satellites rely entirely on this system to provide positioning accurate to within a few meters.
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