- It is the angular distance of a point on the surface of the Earth from its centre.
- All Latitudes are measured with respect to Equator (0 degree latitude). All imaginary circles which lies parallel to the Equator up to the Poles in both the Hemisphere are called parallels of latitude.
- Latitudes are measured in degrees and for greater accuracy these degrees are further sub divided into minutes (‘) and seconds (“); there are 60 minutes in one degree and again 60 seconds in one minute.
- All the points which are connected by the same latitude are called line of latitude. All lines of latitude lie parallel to the Equator hence they are also referred as parallels of latitude. Gap between each parallels are equal.
- Circumference of each latitude is different because of the spherical shape of the Earth.
- All parallels which lies to the North of Equator is called as North Latitude and similarly south of the Equator is called South Latitude
- There is a natural way calculating Latitude of a Place. Latitude of a place can be calculated by measuring the angle of Pole Star from that place.
- Equator is having the Longest circumference from all other latitudes and circumference of rest all latitudes goes on decreasing towards poles and at poles i.e., at 90 degree north and south, latitudes almost shrinks to a point.
- Hence Equator is having the largest circumference and it is the only great circle in latitudes. Some of the important latitudes are discussed below:
- Equator: Zero degree latitude is called Equator.
- It is an imaginary line which cuts the Earth into two equal parts i.e., Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere.
- It passes through 13 Countries of three Continents. It also passes through three water bodies.
- 13 Countries are Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil in South American Continent, Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia in African Continent and Maldives, Indonesia, Kiribati in Asian Continent.
- It passes through three Ocean namely Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean.
- Tropic of Cancer: 23 ½ degree North Latitude is called as Tropic of Cancer.
- It runs through 16 Countries of 3 Continents and total 6 water bodies.
- Bahamas, Mexico in North American Continent, Egypt, Libya, Niger, Algeria, Mali, Western Sahara, Mauritania in African Continent, Taiwan, China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia in Asian Continent.
- It passes through Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Taiwan Strait, Red Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
- In India it crosses through almost middle of the Country and passes 8 states and they are Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram. The northern part from tropic of cancer lies in Sub Tropical region and southern part from Tropic of Cancer lies in Tropical region.
- Sun never rises overhead beyond Tropic of Cancer in Northern Hemisphere.
- Arctic Circle: 66 ½ degree North Latitude is called as Arctic Circle.
- Beyond Arctic Circle Frigid zone lies.
- Arctic Circle crosses seven countries of three Continents
- These seven countries are Canada, Finland, Greenland, Norway, Sweden, Russia and US State of Alaska
- Tropic of Capricorn: 23 ½ degree South Latitude is called as Tropic of Capricorn.
- It is the southernmost latitude in Southern Hemisphere beyond which Sun never rises overhead.
- It passes through 10 countries of three continents. It also passes through 3 water bodies.
- These 10 Countries are Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay in South American Continent, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar in African Continent, and Australia in Australian Continent.
- It passes through 3 water bodies namely Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean.
- Antarctic Circle: 66 ½ degree South Latitude is called as Antarctic Circle. Beyond Antarctic Circle Frigid zone lies.
- Equator: Zero degree latitude is called Equator.
- Poles: If we imagine the circumference of the Earth we will find that distance from the Equator to the Pole is 1/4th of the total circumference hence Pole measures 1/4th of 360 degree i.e., 90 degree. Hence 90 degree north is North Pole and 90 degree south is South Pole. Poles are the place where latitudes shrink and are just like a point on the globe.
- Zones of Earth: regions of the Earth are divided in to three different zones. Basis of this division is the amount of heat they receives from the Sun. Amount of heat received by a zone depends on the Sun’s rays angle. Angle of Sun’s rays goes on decreasing towards the Poles due to spherical shape of the Earth. Due to this heat received by the Sun goes on decreasing towards the Pole. Three Zones are:
- Torrid Zone: Sun rises overhead at least once in a year on all latitudes between tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn hence this region of the Earth receives maximum heat from the Sun. This region is known as Torrid Zone.
- Temperate Zones: Sun never rises overhead on any latitude beyond Tropic of cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. Angle of Sun’s rays goes on decreasing towards the Pole due to spherical Shape of Earth. Due to these area between Tropic of cancer and Arctic Circle in Northern Hemisphere and Between Tropic of Capricorn and Antarctic Circle receives moderate heat from the Sun and hence they are called Temperate Zones.
- Frigid Zone: As we know that angle of Sun’s rays goes on decreasing towards Pole, area between Arctic Circle and North Pole in Northern Hemisphere and Area between Antarctic Circle and South Pole in Southern Hemisphere receives very less heat from the Sun. In these regions Sun does not rises much above the horizon. Hence these regions are very cold and remain in frozen condition throughout the year. Therefore these regions are called as Frigid Zone.
- The latitudinal distance of 1 degree is approximately 111 km or in miles it is about 69 miles.
- Latitudinal extent of India: India extends from 8°4′N latitude to 37°6′N.