How are geographic coordinates read when locating a position on the Earth?

Geographic coordinates are read by specifying latitude first, followed by longitude. Latitude indicates how far north or south a location is from the equator, which is crucial for understanding a position's relationship to the Earth's hemispheres. It ranges from 0 degrees at the equator to 90 degrees at the poles. Longitude, on the other hand, specifies how far east or west a location is from the Prime Meridian, which runs through Greenwich, England, and ranges from 0 degrees to 180 degrees.

This convention—latitude first, then longitude—is universally adopted in geographical and navigational practices, ensuring clarity and consistency when determining locations on maps or in GPS systems. It helps avoid ambiguity that could arise from using different formats, particularly in technical tasks involving mapping and navigation, where precision is critical.