Pitkittäiskoordinaatit

Pitkittäiskoordinaatit, also known as longitudinal coordinates, are a system used to specify the east-west position of a point on the Earth's surface. This coordinate system is typically measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds, or in decimal degrees, and is often used in conjunction with latitude (north-south position) to define a precise location on the globe.

The prime meridian, which runs through Greenwich, England, is the reference point for longitudinal coordinates. Longitude is measured eastward and westward from this meridian. The prime meridian is assigned a longitude of 0 degrees. Longitudes increase eastward up to 180 degrees and westward up to -180 degrees, with the International Date Line serving as the boundary between the two hemispheres.

Pitkittäiskoordinaatit are crucial for various applications, including navigation, cartography, and geographic information systems (GIS). They help in determining the time zones, as each degree of longitude corresponds to approximately four minutes of time difference. Additionally, they are essential for understanding the Earth's rotation and its effects on climate and weather patterns.

In summary, pitkittäiskoordinaatit are a fundamental component of the geographic coordinate system, providing a standardized way to describe the east-west position of any location on Earth.