Latitude and longitude are geographical coordinates used to specify locations on the Earth's surface. They form a grid system that enables precise depiction of any location on earth.

1. Latitude

Latitude lines run parallel to the equator, which is an imaginary circle around the Earth halfway between the North and South Poles. Latitudes are measured in degrees, ranging from 0° at the equator to 90°N at the North Pole and 90°S at the South Pole. The equator is 0° latitude.

2. Longitude

Longitude lines run from the North Pole to the South Pole and are perpendicular to the equator. Longitudes are measured in degrees, ranging from 0° to 180°E (east) and 0° to 180°W (west) from the Prime Meridian. The Prime Meridian itself is 0° longitude.

When both latitude and longitude are used together, they define a specific point on the Earth's surface. For example, the coordinates 40.689247° N, -74.044502° W represent a location where Statue of Liberty is in New York, with 40.689247 degrees north of the equator and -74.044502 degrees west of the Prime Meridian. This coordinate system allows for precise global location identification, essential for navigation, mapping, and various geographical applications.

Converting latitude and longitude from decimal to DMS format involves expressing the coordinates in terms of degrees, minutes, and seconds. Here's a general formula for the conversion:

• Degrees (D): This is the integer part of the decimal coordinate.
• Minutes (M): Multiply the decimal part by 60. The whole number part of the result is the minutes.
• Seconds (S): Take the remaining decimal and multiply by 60. The result is the seconds.