Question

Latitude and longitude lines form a convenient coordinate system for specifying locations on Earth's surface. Where is the origin of this coordinate system? (Hint: The east-west origin and north-south origin both need to be identified.) The origin is where the Prime Meridian, 0° longitude, and the Equator, 0° latitude, cross. This is in the Gulf of Guinea off the south-west coast of Africa.

Answer 1

The origin of the coordinate system formed by latitude and longitude lines is at the intersection of the Equator (0° latitude) and the Prime Meridian (0° longitude). This intersection point is located in the Gulf of Guinea, off the southwestern coast of Africa, specifically in the Atlantic Ocean. This point is often referred to as "Null Island" in some contexts. It's important to note that the Equator runs east-west, serving as the reference for latitude, while the Prime Meridian runs north-south, serving as the reference for longitude.