This document discusses geographic coordinates and how they are used to locate positions on Earth. It explains that parallels of latitude run parallel to the equator, dividing the planet into northern and southern hemispheres. Meridians of longitude run from the North Pole to the South Pole, dividing Earth into eastern and western hemispheres. To determine a point's precise location, its latitude (its distance north or south from the equator) and longitude (its distance east or west from the prime meridian) are identified. Where the line of latitude and longitude intersect is the absolute location on Earth's surface. Together, the grid of parallels and meridians forms coordinates that allow distances and positions to be precisely calculated globally.