Lines of latitude run from east to west and lines of longitude run north to south, they help give the position on earths surface.
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Lines of latitude run east-west around the Earth parallel to the Equator, measuring the distance north or south from the Equator in degrees. Lines of longitude, or meridians, run north-south between the North and South Poles, measuring the distance east or west from the Prime Meridian in degrees. Both latitude and longitude help to pinpoint a specific location on Earth's surface.
Latitude: Lines of constant latitude are called 'parallels', because they are the circles that define the outlines of parallel planes, like slices of the earth cut with the knife lying down.
Longitude: Lines of constant longitude are called 'meridians' and are not parallel. They all converge at the North and South Poles, and divide the earth into pieces like the sections of an orange.
Lines of longitude are all the same length and extend from one pole to the other. Lines of latitude are all parallel to the equator, so the closer you get to the poles, the shorter they are.
Lines of latitude and longitude allows any position on the Earth to be plotted.
If you used a sextant and a marine chronometer you could determine your position and plot this on a map using latitude and longitude. If you did this regularly you would be able to plot your course.
Latitude lines are parallel to each other and equidistant, while longitude lines converge at the poles. This difference in spacing causes the shape formed by the intersection of latitude and longitude lines to be a rectangle or trapezoid, rather than a perfect square.
Latitude is north/south of the equator measured in a series of degrees. Longitude is east/west, measured by a system of degrees from a fixed spot. So generaly at in a Latitude Longitude reading it will have a N or E. For example 25 01'59.72" N that would be latitude because of the N (meaning North) But in general I believe yes latitude is read first.
Yes, a map of California would have a grid system of latitude and longitude lines to help pinpoint locations accurately. This system is used globally to establish the coordinates of any location on Earth.