Latitude

Latitude is a geographical coordinate that specifies the north-south position of a point on the Earth's surface. It is measured in degrees, with the equator being 0 degrees latitude and the poles being 90 degrees north and 90 degrees south latitude. Lines of latitude run east-west around the Earth and are often referred to as parallels.

Key Concepts

1. Equator: The equator is an imaginary line that circles the Earth halfway between the North Pole and the South Pole. It is 0 degrees latitude.
2. Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn: These are the two lines of latitude located at 23.5 degrees north and 23.5 degrees south of the equator, respectively.
3. Arctic Circle and Antarctic Circle: These circles are located at approximately 66.5 degrees north and south of the equator and mark the areas where the sun does not set on the summer solstice and does not rise on the winter solstice.
4. Measurement: Latitude is measured in degrees, with the equator at 0 degrees, the North Pole at 90 degrees north, and the South Pole at 90 degrees south.

Study Guide

Here are some key points to remember when studying latitude:

• Understand the concept of latitude and how it relates to the north-south position of a point on the Earth's surface.
• Memorize the key lines of latitude, including the equator, Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, Arctic Circle, and Antarctic Circle.
• Practice converting degrees of latitude to different formats, such as decimal degrees, degrees and minutes, and degrees, minutes, and seconds.
• Learn about the significance of latitude in relation to climate, daylight hours, and the angle of the sun's rays at different locations on Earth.
• Explore how latitude influences the distribution of biomes and ecosystems around the world.

Understanding latitude is essential for understanding global geography, climate patterns, and navigation. It plays a crucial role in various fields, including astronomy, meteorology, and environmental science.

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