A visual representation of the Earth’s surface displaying latitude and longitude lines, designed to be reproduced on paper or other physical media, enables users to identify specific geographic locations using their coordinate values. For example, one might use such a map to locate a specific city or landmark by finding the intersection of its latitude and longitude coordinates.
These cartographic resources are valuable for a variety of applications, including geographical education, navigation, research, and planning. Their use provides a readily accessible means of understanding spatial relationships and geographical positioning. Historically, they have been essential tools for explorers, surveyors, and military strategists, facilitating accurate representation and measurement of the Earth’s surface.
The subsequent sections will delve into the practical applications, considerations for selecting appropriate projections, and available resources for obtaining these geographical tools in a convenient, accessible format.