Final answer:
The lines of latitude and longitude form an imaginary grid called the graticule, which helps in accurate location finding and navigation on Earth. The system, which has evolved over thousands of years, is crucial for GPS devices and smartphones to determine absolute location based on degrees of latitude and longitude.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lines of latitude and longitude form an imaginary grid over the planet. This grid, known as the graticule, is essential for location-finding and navigation, as it divides the planet into 360 degrees and allows geographers to pinpoint any location based on these coordinates. For example, lines of latitude, which run parallel to the equator, are used to determine how far north or south a location is, with the equator being at 0° latitude, and the poles at 90° north or south. Longitude lines, on the other hand, measure how far east or west a location is from the Prime Meridian, which runs through Greenwich, England.
Throughout history, the development of this coordinate system has been instrumental in improving navigation and map-making, originating thousands of years ago, with significant advancements by figures such as Eratosthenes, Ptolemy, and Sir George Airy. In the modern era, GPS devices and smartphones use this age-old system to help us find our way using satellite data to determine our precise latitude and longitude.