Two kinds of location
The position of a place can be stated in two ways. Relative location describes where a place is compared with another place using direction and landmarks, for example "north of the school". Absolute location states the exact position using a fixed system such as latitude and longitude coordinates or a grid reference on a map.
Key idea
Relative location depends on a reference point; absolute location is an exact, unchanging position given by coordinates.
Grid references
On a map, the absolute location of a place is given by a grid reference. The easting (vertical lines) is read first, then the northing (horizontal lines). A four-figure grid reference shows a grid square, while a six-figure grid reference gives a more exact position.
Example
"The town is 3 km south-east of the city" is a relative location. "The town lies at 4°N, 102°E" is an absolute location.
Why it matters
Absolute location is important for shipping, aviation and the Global Positioning System (GPS) because it is exact and fixed. Relative location is easy to understand in daily life, such as giving directions to a friend or describing where a shop is. The two kinds of location work together: absolute location fixes the exact spot, while relative location helps us move from one place to another more easily.
Remember
Relative location can change with the reference point, but absolute location always stays the same.