World Latitude and Longitude Map


*The World Map with Latitude and Longitude highlights administrative boundaries of the World. Disclaimer

How to use this map

Two imaginary sets of lines - the longitudes and latitudes - drawn around the world to make a grid, give us the geographical co-ordinates of any place. We can find out how far north, east, west and south that place is on earth by referring to these co-ordinates.

This map displays the geographical co-ordinates - the latitude and the longitude of the world. It also shows the countries along with the latitudes and longitudes. Additionally, the oceans (the North Atlantic, the South Atlantic, The North Pacific, the South Pacific, the Indian, the Southern, and the Arctic) are displayed. The map is a useful resource for school children and helpful aid for parents and teachers.

Latitude

Latitudes are horizontal lines running from east to west. The Equator which cuts the world at the centre is given the value 0°. All other lines of latitudes run parallel to the Equator and are numbered in degrees north or south of the Equator. The North and South Poles are at either end. The North Pole is at value 90° north and the South Pole at 90° south.

The Equator divides the earth into two hemispheres. The area north is the Northern hemisphere, and the area south is the Southern hemisphere. Most of the landmass on earth is in the Northern Hemisphere. Europe and North America are the only continents which lie entirely in the Northern Hemisphere while Australia and Antarctica are the only continents which lie wholly in the Southern Hemisphere. Asia, South America and Africa are spread out between both the hemispheres. Four of the earth's oceans (South Pacific, South Atlantic, Southern and Indian) are in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Arctic Circle, with its value at 66° 33' N, runs parallel to the Equator. The area north of this is the Arctic Polar region. The Antarctic Circle, with its value at 66°33' S runs parallel to the Equator and the area south of this is the Antarctic Polar region.

The Tropic of Cancer at value 23° 26' N passes through the Northern Hemisphere. Similarly, Tropic of Capricorn at value 23° 26' S passes through the Southern Hemisphere. The region between these two, centred on the Equator, is the Tropical region.

Some of the countries which fall in the Northern hemisphere are; the USA, Italy, China, and India, and some of the countries which fall in the Southern hemisphere are; Namibia, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Madagascar, and Australia. Some counties such as Brazil, Congo and Indonesia straddle both the hemispheres.

Longitude

Longitudes are vertical lines running from north to south. The Prime Meridian, which passes through Greenwich of London, is given the value 0°. All other lines of the longitude are numbered in degrees east or west of the Prime Meridian. The imaginary line connecting the Poles and opposite to the Prime Meridian is given the value 180°.

The Prime Meridian divides the earth into eastern and western hemispheres and of these, Asia and Africa are part of the Eastern hemisphere. At the same time, the Americas (North and South) are part of the Western hemisphere. The International Dateline also corresponds to the 180° longitude, though it zigzags to allow for local geographical considerations. The date in the eastern hemisphere is one day ahead of the date in the western hemisphere.

Last Updated on: October 08, 2020