-5

I'm not an expert in GIS. To my understanding -180° longitude and +180° longitude are the same, meaning that if I draw two vertical lines on the map along this longitude, they will overlap.

But does this work for latitudes, too? Is -90° latitude equivalent to +90° latitude? If that is the case, as the title says this would mean that -90, -180 and 90, 180 are equivalent, is that correct?

Improve this question
6
  • 3
    Well, they may be, in whatever universe has 180 degrees north and south. But even if we reverse standard {X,Y} coordinate order, the North Pole and South Pole are not considered to be the same location.
    – Vince
    Commented Apr 9, 2017 at 16:57
  • so for longitudes you have [-180,180) and for latitudes [-90,90] ?
    – darkpirate
    Commented Apr 9, 2017 at 17:00
  • i know it's a silly question, but couldn't find the answer with google :(
    – darkpirate
    Commented Apr 9, 2017 at 17:21
  • 2
    You don't really need Google for this. It's pretty basic geometry.
    – John Powell
    Commented Apr 9, 2017 at 18:04
  • @Vince Lat/Long rather than X/Y I think is probably the reason for the coordinate order. See LatLon or LonLat, what's the “right” way to display coordinates and inputs? and ISO 6709 - Wikipedia
    – Midavalo ♦
    Commented Apr 9, 2017 at 23:36

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
8

No, they are not the same place. +90 would be the North pole, and -90 would be the South pole. For them to be the same place it would need to be on the equator, so 0, 180 = 0, -180

This image might help make it clear

enter image description here

From Geographic Coordinate System - Wikipedia

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.