Lines of Latitude and longitude make a grid pattern on the globe. Only a few lines are shown on maps of the world but every point on the surface of the Earth is crossed by a line of latitude and a line of longitude. When we write a co-ordinate for a place, we always put the latitude first. To help us to remember this, remember that latitude appears before longitude in the dictionary or we say, “Walk across the street before you climb the tree.”

Here are some examples of coordinates:

40⁰ N and 70⁰ W (read 40 degrees north and 70 degrees west)

17⁰ S and 120⁰ E (read 17 degrees south and 120 degrees east)

0⁰ latitude and 30⁰ E (read zero degrees latitude and 30 degrees east)

78⁰ S and 0⁰ longitude (read 78 degrees south and zero degrees longitude)

Notice that the co-ordinate can only be North or South and the second co-ordinate can only be East or West.

For countries that are comprised of many islands, like the TCI, the central point is used as the country’s grid location. The TCI is located at 22⁰N, 72⁰W.