Geographic coordinates are a system used to pinpoint locations on the Earth's surface. They consist of two main components: latitude and longitude. Latitude measures how far north or south a location is from the equator, while longitude measures how far east or west a location is from the Prime Meridian, which runs through Greenwich, England. These coordinates are expressed in degrees, with latitude ranging from 0° at the equator to 90° at the poles, and longitude ranging from 0° at the Prime Meridian to 180° east or west. This system allows for precise navigation and mapping, essential for activities like cartography and GPS technology.