Modern digital systems and GPS devices prefer decimal degrees because they are easier for computer systems to calculate.
: Coordinates span from 0° at the Prime Meridian to 180° East and 180° West. meridian coordinates
Without accurate meridian coordinates, ships regularly got lost, crashed into reefs, or ran out of food. Modern digital systems and GPS devices prefer decimal
Unlike latitude, where one degree always equals roughly 69 miles (111 kilometers), the physical distance between meridian coordinates shrinks as you move away from the equator. Unlike latitude, where one degree always equals roughly
The problem was solved in the 18th century by English clockmaker John Harrison. He realized that calculating longitude required accurate timekeeping. Because the Earth rotates 15° every hour, a sailor could determine their meridian coordinate by comparing local solar time (determined by the sun) with the time at a reference port (Greenwich). Harrison invented the marine chronometer, a highly accurate clock that could withstand the rocking motion and temperature changes of a ship, revolutionizing global exploration. Modern Applications of Meridian Coordinates
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