Latitudes north of the equator are denoted by positive values, while those in the south are assigned negative values. Latitudes are also denoted by positive and negative signs depending on whether a particular latitude is north or south of the equator. Locations north of the Arctic Circle are said to be in the Arctic Circle, while those south of the Antarctic Circle are in the Antarctic Circle. Thus, the Tropic of Capricorn, the horizontal imaginary circle below the equator, has a latitude of 23 degrees 26 minutes south, and the Antarctic Circle, a horizontal circle further below the equator and nearer to the south pole, has a latitude measure of 66 degrees 34 minutes south. Latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere are assigned a suffix of S for south.

Similarly, the Arctic Circle, which is also a horizontal imaginary circle further above the equator and nearer to the north pole, has a latitude measure of 66 degrees 34 minutes north. The latitude of the Tropic of Cancer, which is the horizontal imaginary circle above the equator, is expressed as 23 degrees 26 minutes north, or 23° 26′ N. Latitudes: Northern and southern hemispheresĪ place in the Northern Hemisphere is identified by its northern latitude and assigned a suffix of N for north. The December solstice is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere since it is tilted toward the sun and the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere because it is tilted away from the sun. Similarly, the Tropic of Capricorn marks the southernmost position on the Earth, where the sun is directly overhead during the December solstice. It is also the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere because this hemisphere is tilted away from the sun. The June solstice is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere because the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun. In this position, the sun is directly overhead during the June solstice. The Tropic of Cancer marks the northernmost position on the Earth. In addition to the equator, the Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, the Arctic Circle and the Antarctic Circle are the five circles of latitude found on almost all maps and globes. That's why the greatest possible latitudes are 90 degrees north and 90 degrees south. This refers to one-fourth the circumference of the Earth. The arc between the equator and each of the poles is 90 degrees. Where these two lines meet, they form an angle, which pinpoints the north-south position of a particular location on Earth. The latitude is the angle created by two connecting lines: the line connecting the latitude and the center of the Earth and the line connecting the equator with the center of the Earth. These lines, often called parallels of latitude or circles of latitude, are always parallel to the equator. They also run laterally from left to right. Latitude lines are imaginary circles that extend horizontally above and below the equator. This plane passes through the center of the Earth and contains the great circle representing the equator. Latitudes are defined with respect to the equatorial reference plane. Diagram illustrating the difference between latitude and longitude The equator plays an important role in geography and cartography, particularly when it comes to the measurement of latitudes and longitudes. The Northern Hemisphere is above the equator, and the Southern Hemisphere is below the equator. The equator is a horizontal line or great circle that splits the Earth into two equal halves, one above and one below, referred to as hemispheres, with hemi meaning half. When this horizontal line is equidistant from the north and south poles, it is the equator. An imaginary line that's parallel to this rotational axis would pass through the north and south poles, the northernmost and southernmost points on Earth, respectively.Īn imaginary line can be drawn that's perpendicular to the Earth's vertical rotational axis and the imaginary vertical line connecting the two poles. The Earth, which is almost spherical in shape, rotates around its vertical axis. Latitude and longitude are both measured in degrees (°) and minutes (′). They also show the angular distance of any place from the Earth's center. Together, latitude and longitude enable cartographers, geographers and others to locate points or places on the globe. Longitudes are vertical lines that measure east or west of the meridian in Greenwich, England. Latitudes are horizontal lines that measure distance north or south of the equator. They constitute a coordinate system or scheme to locate or identify geographic positions anywhere on the Earth's surface. Both latitude and longitude are angles that uniquely define points on the Earth's sphere. Latitude and longitude are parameters or coordinates that help determine the location of any place on Earth.

Altitude geometry defintion