display Latitude & Longitude!
1. Degrees, Minutes, Seconds (DMS)
2. Degrees, Minutes as decimal (DM.m)
3. Numerical
2. Degrees, Minutes as decimal (DM.m)
3. Numerical
d Degrees
dd Degrees
ddd Degrees
M Minutes
MM Minutes
s Seconds
ss Seconds
D Direction
dd Degrees
ddd Degrees
M Minutes
MM Minutes
s Seconds
ss Seconds
D Direction
Values range from 0 - 180
Two digit values range from 00 - 180
Three digit values range from 000 - 180
Displayed with a decimal component that represents the seconds as a
fraction of a minute, eg 4 minutes, 15 seconds, displays as 4.25
Two digit values range from 00 - 59
Values range from 0 - 59
Two digit values range from 00 - 59
Displays 'East', or 'West' as appropriate
Two digit values range from 00 - 180
Three digit values range from 000 - 180
Displayed with a decimal component that represents the seconds as a
fraction of a minute, eg 4 minutes, 15 seconds, displays as 4.25
Two digit values range from 00 - 59
Values range from 0 - 59
Two digit values range from 00 - 59
Displays 'East', or 'West' as appropriate
The earth is a sphere, so how do we describe an
exact position on its surface?
The most common way to locate positions on the
Earth is by standard geographic coordinates called
latitude and longitude. These coordinates values are
measured in degrees and represent angular distances
calculated from the center of the Earth.
exact position on its surface?
The most common way to locate positions on the
Earth is by standard geographic coordinates called
latitude and longitude. These coordinates values are
measured in degrees and represent angular distances
calculated from the center of the Earth.
Let's imagine the Earth as a giant sphere spinning
around an axis. The axis runs from the North and
South Poles. The Equator run around the earth, an
equal distance from both poles. The Equator is the
latitude line with a he value of 0 (zero) degrees and is
the starting point for measuring latitude.
Lines of longitude (called meridians) run
perpendicular to lines of latitude- and all pass
through both poles. The Earth is divided equally into
360 degrees of longitude with 180 degrees of
longitude to the east of the Prime Meridian; when
the directional designator is omitted these
longitudes are given positive values. There are
also 180 degrees of longitude to the west of the Prime
Meridian; when the directional designator is
omitted these longitudes are given negative
values.
around an axis. The axis runs from the North and
South Poles. The Equator run around the earth, an
equal distance from both poles. The Equator is the
latitude line with a he value of 0 (zero) degrees and is
the starting point for measuring latitude.
Lines of longitude (called meridians) run
perpendicular to lines of latitude- and all pass
through both poles. The Earth is divided equally into
360 degrees of longitude with 180 degrees of
longitude to the east of the Prime Meridian; when
the directional designator is omitted these
longitudes are given positive values. There are
also 180 degrees of longitude to the west of the Prime
Meridian; when the directional designator is
omitted these longitudes are given negative
values.
Equator—The line running around the Earth at an equal distance from the
North and South Poles.
Geographic coordinates— Values given as latitude and longitude.
Great circle—A circle formed on the surface of a sphere by a plane that passes
through the center of the sphere. The Equator, each meridian, and each other
full circumference of the Earth forms a great circle. The arc of a great circle is
the shortest distance between two points on the Earth's surface.
Meridian—A great circle around the Earth, passing through the geographical
poles and some third point on the Earth's surface. All points on a given
meridian share the same longitude.
Parallel—A circle or approximation of a circle on the surface of the Earth,
parallel to the Equator and connecting points of equal latitude.
Prime Meridian—The meridian of longitude (zero) 0 degrees, used as the
origin for the measurement of longitude. The meridian of Greenwich,
England, is the internationally accepted prime meridian.
North and South Poles.
Geographic coordinates— Values given as latitude and longitude.
Great circle—A circle formed on the surface of a sphere by a plane that passes
through the center of the sphere. The Equator, each meridian, and each other
full circumference of the Earth forms a great circle. The arc of a great circle is
the shortest distance between two points on the Earth's surface.
Meridian—A great circle around the Earth, passing through the geographical
poles and some third point on the Earth's surface. All points on a given
meridian share the same longitude.
Parallel—A circle or approximation of a circle on the surface of the Earth,
parallel to the Equator and connecting points of equal latitude.
Prime Meridian—The meridian of longitude (zero) 0 degrees, used as the
origin for the measurement of longitude. The meridian of Greenwich,
England, is the internationally accepted prime meridian.
Degrees of latitude and longitude can be further subdivided
into minutes and seconds: there are 60 minutes (') per
degree, and 60 seconds (") per minute. For example, a
coordinate might be written 65° 32' 15". Degrees can also
be expressed as decimals: 65.5375, degrees and decimal
minutes: 65° 32.25', or even degrees, minutes, and
decimal seconds: 65° 32' 15.275".
One degree of latitude is approximately 69 miles, and a
minute of latitude is approximately 1.15 miles. A second of
latitude is approximately 0.02 miles, or just over 100 feet.
One degree of longitude varies in size. At the equator, it is
approximately 69 miles. The size decreases to zero as the
meridians meet at the poles. At a 45 degrees latitude, a
degree of longitude is approximately 49 miles.
into minutes and seconds: there are 60 minutes (') per
degree, and 60 seconds (") per minute. For example, a
coordinate might be written 65° 32' 15". Degrees can also
be expressed as decimals: 65.5375, degrees and decimal
minutes: 65° 32.25', or even degrees, minutes, and
decimal seconds: 65° 32' 15.275".
One degree of latitude is approximately 69 miles, and a
minute of latitude is approximately 1.15 miles. A second of
latitude is approximately 0.02 miles, or just over 100 feet.
One degree of longitude varies in size. At the equator, it is
approximately 69 miles. The size decreases to zero as the
meridians meet at the poles. At a 45 degrees latitude, a
degree of longitude is approximately 49 miles.
| Commonly Used Terms |
There are Three basic ways to display your coordinates:
| Education Center |
| Decimal Degrees Minutes |
