Why is the equator the most important of all the latitudes? Why is it also
called ‘Great Circle’?
Answers
Explanation:
The great circle is the largest possible circle that can be drawn around a sphere. All spheres are having great circles. When a sphere is divided at one of its great circles, it is like cutting into two halves. A great circle has the same boundary and same centre point as its sphere. Great circles are seen on all meridians on Earth. All the lines of longitude meet at the poles, intersecting the Earth in half.
Thus a great circle always splits the Earth into two halves, so that the Equator is a great circle. All latitudes other than 0° are small circles. All lines of longitude are great circles and all latitudes are small circles except the Equator. The only east-west line which is also a great circle is the Equator.
66 ½° North is a parallel of latitude which denotes the Arctic Circle. 20° South is the circle of latitude which is 20 degrees south of the Earth's equatorial plane. 23 ½° South denotes the Tropic of Capricorn. Since the Equator is of zero degrees latitude, it is the great circle.
Answer:
✨The equator serves many purposes. One of such purposes is to divide the earth into two equal hemispheres - northern and southern. In addition, it serves as a reference point and division for all other lines that are parallel to the equator.This is why equator is the most important line of the latitude.
✨A great circle,of a sphere is the intersection of the sphere and a plane that passes through the center point of the sphere. A great circle is the largest circle that can be drawn on any given sphere.