What is the maximum longitude value in degrees?

What is the maximum longitude value in degrees?

• A. 90°
• B. 180°
• C. 270°
• D. 360°

Answer: (B)

Longitudes represent angular distance east or west from the Prime Meridian and cover a full 360-degree circle. In the common convention used for most maps and GPS, longitudes range from -180° to +180°. The farthest extent east is +180°, and the farthest west is -180°. So the maximum longitude value is 180°. Note that 360° is a complete circle but is equivalent to 0°, and 270° would correspond to -90° in the -180° to +180° system, so they aren’t the maximum distinct longitude.

Longitudes represent angular distance east or west from the Prime Meridian and cover a full 360-degree circle. In the common convention used for most maps and GPS, longitudes range from -180° to +180°. The farthest extent east is +180°, and the farthest west is -180°. So the maximum longitude value is 180°.

Note that 360° is a complete circle but is equivalent to 0°, and 270° would correspond to -90° in the -180° to +180° system, so they aren’t the maximum distinct longitude.