What is the significance of latitude and longitude in determining location on a map, and how are coordinates written?

• A. Latitude measures distance north or south of the equator.
• B. Longitude measures distance east or west of the Prime Meridian.
• C. Coordinates are written as (latitude, longitude) in degrees.
• D. Latitude is used for time zones.

Answer: (C)

Latitude and longitude create a global grid that uniquely identifies any point on Earth. Latitude measures distance north or south of the equator, while longitude measures distance east or west of the Prime Meridian. When we write coordinates, we usually present them as (latitude, longitude) in degrees. For example, (40.7128, -74.0060) pinpoints a location in New York City. You’ll also see decimals or degrees-minutes-seconds formats, but the common written form is latitude first, then longitude, in degrees. The idea that latitude determines time zones isn’t accurate—time zones follow longitude more closely, with political boundaries adding exceptions.