Ellipsoidal latitude

Ellipsoidal latitude is a way to describe your location on the earth using a special shape called an ellipsoid.

Imagine if the earth was a big potato-shaped ball instead of a perfect sphere. An ellipsoid is a shape that looks like an elongated potato with flattened ends.

When we talk about latitude (which is a way to say how far north or south you are on the earth), we usually use the equator as a reference point. But since the earth is not a perfect sphere, we need to use a more complicated system to describe location more accurately.

Ellipsoidal latitude takes into account the shape of the ellipsoid and factors in how far you are from the equator and the shape of the land around you.

So, if someone were to tell you their ellipsoidal latitude, they would be describing their location using this more precise system based on the shape of the earth as an ellipsoid.