What are latitudes and longitudes?

Since the Earth is spherical in shape, it is difficult to locate locations and places. Therefore, in order to understand the relations between different places and their exact location, there is a need to understand their position, their distance from any fixed point including their exact direction. Thus, a network of lines are drawn on the globe to know their position, distance and direction i.e. east, west, north or south. These imaginary lines are known as longitudes and latitudes.

Latitude - It is an imaginary line (horizontal lines) which joins all places, having the same angular distance, both north and south of the equator.

Longitude – It is an imaginary line (vertical lines) intersecting the equator at the right angle, joining both the north and the south.