What are coordinates used for on a map?

Coordinates on a map are essential for providing the latitude and longitude addresses, which are numerical representations of locations on the Earth's surface. Latitude lines run parallel to the equator and determine how far north or south a location is, while longitude lines run from pole to pole, indicating how far east or west a location is from the Prime Meridian. This system of coordinates allows anyone to pinpoint exact locations, facilitating navigation, mapping, and geographic reference.

The other options don't accurately explain the primary purpose of coordinates on a map. While distances can be measured using scale and tools, the actual coordinates themselves do not directly address distance measurement. The size of the map is typically represented by its scale, not its coordinates. Lastly, geographical features like mountains or rivers can be depicted on maps but are not defined by the coordinates themselves; rather, coordinates help to locate the features on the map. Thus, the use of coordinates specifically pertains to identifying locations through latitude and longitude.