Tamaki College Social Studies

What is Latitude and Longitude, and how do I use it?

Latitude and Longitude are imaginary grids that cover the earth. They enable any place on our planet to be located using coordinates.

Latitude: Lines that go sideways around the globe (they go by the directions North and South).

Longitude: Lines that go from the top of the globe to the bottom (they go by the directions East and West).

Latitude and Longitude Practice


For each of the coordinates listed below, write the letter that is located there. The first one has been done for you.

80°N, 0° = B
20°S, 100°E = A
20°N, 40°E = F
0°, 140°W = C
20°S, 20°E = F
60°S, 40°W = D
50°N, 120°E = I
10°S, 40°W = J
40°N, 100°W = G
40°N, 60°E = E