Read latitude and longitude
Use the Equator and prime meridian to describe a position on a map.
Start with latitude
Latitude measures how far north or south a place lies from the Equator. The Equator is 0 degrees latitude. Latitude ranges from 90 degrees south to 90 degrees north. Lines of latitude run east to west across a standard world grid.
Then read longitude
Longitude measures position east or west of the prime meridian at 0 degrees. Longitude runs up to 180 degrees east or west. Write latitude first, followed by longitude, and include the compass directions.
A point at 30 degrees north and 120 degrees west is written as 30 N, 120 W when degree symbols are unavailable. It is in the Northern and Western Hemispheres.
Estimate carefully
Read the labelled grid interval before estimating a point between lines. Country worksheets show reference city locations; their answer keys round the source coordinates to one decimal place. A small difference between an estimate and the reference answer is expected.