Long ago, scientists developed a way to describe every location on earth using a global address. This method uses two sets of numbers (called coordinates). They tell us where to find a location using a grid system, like the lines on graph paper.

It's like saying, "You can find my house where Maple Road crosses Elm Street." Instead of streets, the global address uses numbered horizontal and vertical lines called latitude and longitude. You describe a location by giving the numbers of the lines that intersect (for example, 20 latitude north, 90 longitude west).