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1.11 Latitude and longitude

Do not abbreviate the words latitude and longitude when used alone or in ordinary prose:

  • What is the latitude of the Tropic of Cancer?
  • The wreck was found at 36°7’25’’ north latitude and 15°24’00’’ west longitude.

In technical work and when lists of co-ordinates are given, use the abbreviations lat. and long.:

  • lat. 42°15’30’’ N, compass direction
  • lat. 18°40’16’’ S
  • long. 89°17’45’’ W, compass direction
  • long. 20°19’22’’ E, compass direction