What do the letters N S E and W mean when they accompany labels for latitude and longitude?

The letters N, S, E, and W represent cardinal directions in the context of latitude and longitude. N (North) and S (South) indicate the position relative to the Equator, with N for locations in the Northern Hemisphere and S for those in the Southern Hemisphere. Similarly, E (East) and W (West) denote positions relative to the Prime Meridian, with E for locations east of the Prime Meridian and W for those to the west. Together, they specify the precise geographic coordinates of a location on the Earth's surface.