Which direction does longitude run?

Longitude lines run from the North Pole to the South Pole, thus measuring distance east or west of the Prime Meridian. These vertical lines are essential for navigation and map-making as they provide a reference for determining a location's position in relation to the Earth's rotational axis. The concept of longitude is important for understanding how we define our position on the globe and how we navigate from one point to another.

In contrast, latitude lines run horizontally and measure distance north or south of the equator, which helps to distinguish why options referencing horizontal or diagonal directions do not accurately describe the nature of longitude.