What is the main purpose of latitude and longitude?

The main purpose of latitude and longitude is to help with navigation. These two systems create a grid over the Earth, allowing for precise location identification. Latitude lines run horizontally and indicate how far north or south a point is from the equator, while longitude lines run vertically and indicate how far east or west a point is from the Prime Meridian. This grid system is essential for various types of navigation, whether on land, at sea, or in the air, as it allows travelers and explorers to determine their exact position and navigate accurately between locations.

While weather patterns, population density, and trade routes can be represented in relation to latitude and longitude, their primary function is to provide a coordinate system for locating places. This makes navigation one of the essential applications of these geographic concepts.