PARALLELS OF LATITUDES

PARALLELS OF LATITUDES

All parallel circles from the equator up to the poles are called parallels of latitudes. Latitudes are measured in degrees.

The equator represents the zero-degree latitude. Since the distance from the equator to either of the poles is one-fourth of a circle round the earth, it will measure ¼^th of 360 degrees, i.e. 90°. Thus, 90 degrees’ north latitude marks the North Pole and 90 degrees’ south latitude marks the South Pole. As such, all parallels north of the equator are called ‘north latitudes. ’Similarly, all parallels south of the equator are called ‘south latitudes.’

The value of each latitude is, therefore, followed by either the word north or south. Generally, this is indicated by the letter ‘N’ or ‘S’. For example, both Chandrapur in Maharashtra (India) and Belo Horizonte in Brazil (South America) are located on parallels of about 20° latitudes. But the former is 20° north of the equator and the latter is 20° souths of it. We, therefore, say that Chandrapur is situated at 20° N latitude and Belo Horizonte is situated at 20° S latitude. We see in Figure 2.2 that as we move away from the equator, the size of the parallels of latitude decreases.

IMPORTANT PARALLELS OF LATITUDES

IMPORTANT PARALLELS OF LATITUDES

Besides the equator (0°), the North Pole (90°N), and the South Pole (90° S), there are four important parallels of latitudes–

1.Tropic of Cancer (23½° N) in the Northern Hemisphere.

2.Tropic of Capricorn (23½° S) in the Southern Hemisphere.

3.Arctic Circle at 66½° north of the equator.

4.Antarctic Circle at 66½° south of the equator.

Do you know?

By measuring the angle of the Pole Star from your place, you can know the latitude of your place.