A geographic coordinate system is a method used to identify locations on the Earth's surface using a set of numerical values. It typically employs two main components: latitude and longitude. Latitude measures how far north or south a point is from the equator, while longitude measures how far east or west a point is from the prime meridian. 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 is essential for mapping, navigation, and various applications in geography and cartography.