GeoNames Forum

I have developed a simple application as a test, using the "earthquake" API, however I am still a confuse about the parameters that a have to refer, north,south,east,west.
When I type for example, Tokyo, it shows some earthquakes incidences nearby Tokyo, but for some other locations, it brings me some incidences far away from the location I've typed.
Just to make sure, for city, "Sao Paulo Brazil", the co-ordinates are: S 23° 32' 51'' W 46° 38' 10''.
How can I consider the correct points for north,south,east,west?
Would it be? north=32,south=-23,east=38,west=46 ?