Question

Write about important Latitudes with the help of a Diagram.

Answer 1

Lines of latitude

The lines running east to west, parallel to the Equator are called lines of latitude. A latitude is marked in degrees, with the Equator being 0 degrees. Latitudes are expressed in minutes (') and seconds (''). These lines show us the width of the map. Every latitude must be designated with direction- N for 'north' or S for 'south.' Equator is the largest among all the latitudes

Characteristics of lines of latitude

Lines of latitude run east-west but provide north-south locational reference. Since the lines of latitude are parallel to the equator and each other, they are called parallels of latitude. They are numbered from the equator which is the 0-degree line of latitude. The equator divides the world into northern and southern hemispheres. Only one line of latitude, i.e., the equator is a great circle.

Main latitudes

The seven important lines of latitude are

• The equator at 0 degrees
• Tropic of Capricorn at 23.5 degrees south
• Tropic of Cancer at 23.5 degrees north
• Antarctic Circle at 66.5 degrees south
• Arctic Circle at 66.5 degrees north
• The South Pole at 90 degrees south and
• The North Pole at 90 degrees north.