Here's why:
* Latitude: Lines of latitude run horizontally around the Earth, parallel to the equator. They measure distances north or south of the equator, with the equator being 0 degrees.
* Longitude: Lines of longitude run vertically from the North Pole to the South Pole. They measure distances east or west of the Prime Meridian, which is at 0 degrees.
Therefore, every point on Earth can be identified with a unique combination of latitude and longitude, which provides its absolute location.