What does a minus mean in latitude and longitude?

Answer 1

As you know, the latitude number must be further clarified as 'north' or 'south' latitude,

and the longitude number must be further clarified as 'east' or 'west' longitude.

But when you do that, it's hard for a computer to read the information ... which has become

a pretty important consideration now.

So nowadays, it's common to see latitude written as ' + ' for north and ' - ' for south,

and longitude written as ' + ' for east and ' - ' for west. Computers understand the

difference between positive and negative numbers very well, and this makes it easier

all around.

Answer 2

A minus sign (-) in latitude or longitude indicates south for latitude and west for longitude. It signifies a location south of the equator for latitude and west of the prime meridian for longitude.