Quick Fact
Denver, Colorado, sits right on the 39°44′N parallel—just south of the 40th parallel north. With coordinates of 39.7392° N, 104.9903° W, Denver anchors the Front Range Urban Corridor and anchors a metro area home to nearly 2.9 million residents as of 2026.
Geographic Context
Denver’s spot on the 39°44′N parallel puts it smack in the High Plains, where the Rockies start their climb to the west. This latitude? It’s a sweet spot between the semi-arid Great Plains and the high-elevation Rocky Mountain foothills. The city’s location along the South Platte River valley made it a natural hub for trade and travel back in the 1800s. It hugs the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountain Front Range, a rugged landscape that defines much of Colorado’s wild west.
Key Details
| Category | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Latitude | 39.7392° N |
| Longitude | 104.9903° W |
| Parallel | 39°44′N |
| Elevation | 5,280 feet (1,609 meters) |
| Metro Population (2026) | 2.9 million |
Interesting Background
Early surveyors knew Denver sat on the 39°44′N parallel, but the city’s real story kicked off with the 1858 Pikes Peak Gold Rush. Miners and settlers flocked to the South Platte valley for its water and flat land, not realizing they were building the foundation of a major metro area. The city’s famous “Mile High City” nickname comes from its elevation of 5,280 feet—exactly one mile above sea level—confirmed in 1909 and double-checked by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1969. Fun fact: Denver’s on this parallel, so it’s close to other big cities like Indianapolis, Philadelphia, and even Rome, Italy.
Practical Information
As of 2026, Denver’s still a top spot for outdoor lovers, with hiking, skiing, and national parks all within a two-hour drive. Denver International Airport (DEN) sits at 39.8561° N, 104.6737° W, offering direct flights to over 200 destinations worldwide. Winters here average 16°F to 43°F (-9°C to 6°C), while summers can hit 88°F (31°C). The city’s public transit system—light rail and buses—connects the metro, even linking up with ski resorts via the A-Line commuter rail. Want to experience Denver’s elevation and latitude firsthand? Head to the “Mile High Swing” at Empower Field at Mile High or check out the Denver Art Museum, both near the 39°44′N parallel.
What is longitude and latitude of Colorado?
Colorado’s coordinates sit at 39.5501° N, 105.7821° W.
How do I find the latitude and longitude of a city?
You can look up a place’s GPS coordinates by searching for it online. Most mapping services will give you the exact latitude and longitude when you search for a specific location.
How do I find my latitude and longitude?
Use a GPS app on your phone or visit a mapping website. Just type in your address or drop a pin on the map, and the coordinates will pop right up.
How are coordinates written?
Write latitude first, then longitude, separated by a comma. For example, “15°N, 30°E” is the correct format.
What are the types of coordinates?
The most common coordinate systems include geographic (latitude/longitude), projected (like UTM), and grid systems (like MGRS).
Does Google Earth use NAD83?
Google Earth supports both NAD83-to-NAD27 and NAD27-to-NAD83 conversions. Just check the Coordinate Conversion box, and you’ll get a form to input your geodetic coordinates and datum.
How do you convert XY coordinates to latitude and longitude?
Use this formula: latitude = asin(z/R) and longitude = atan2(y,x). Here, x, y, z, and R are values from your data. Asin is the arc sine function, and atan2 is a variation of the arc tangent function.
Is northing latitude or longitude?
After transformation, latitude is denoted by Y (northing), and longitude by X (easting). Projected coordinate systems usually measure in meters or feet.
How do I get Eastings and Northings?
Find the eastings first—move along the grid until you hit the bottom-left corner of your square. Write that two-figure number down. Then use the northing to go up to the same corner.
Why are Eastings called Eastings?
Easting lines run vertically, and their numbers increase as you move east across the map. That’s why they’re called eastings—they track your eastward progress.
What are my Eastings and Northings?
Easting and northing are like x and y coordinates on a grid. Easting measures how far east you are, while northing measures how far north you’ve gone.
What comes first Eastings or Northings?
Always list eastings first, then northings—just like reading a graph with x before y. For a four-figure grid reference, it’s the same rule.
Are Northings and Eastings the same as latitude and longitude?
The State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS) is U.S.-specific and uses northings and eastings with a zero point southwest of each state’s boundary. Unlike latitude and longitude, it doesn’t use negative numbers.
How do I find Eastings and Northings on Google Maps?
Google Maps doesn’t show eastings and northings by default, but you can use third-party tools or GPS apps to convert coordinates into those grid systems.
Can Google Maps show MGRS?
Google Maps itself doesn’t display MGRS coordinates, but you can use external tools or plugins to convert standard coordinates into the Military Grid Reference System.
