Longitude And Latitude Lines

The biggest circle of latitude on Earth is the equator. The equator, or 0 degrees latitude, separates the planet into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The other latitudes range from 0 to 90 degrees and point in the direction of the poles. Each number is followed by the letter "N" on the north latitude lines that extend north of the equator toward the North Pole. Each number is followed by the letter "S" on the south latitude lines that extend south of the equator toward the South Pole. The only line of latitude without a letter after the number is the equator (0 latitude). 

 

Keep in mind that the North Pole is 90 degrees N and the South Pole is 90 degrees S, and that all lines of latitude run parallel to the equator. The Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, which are both 23.5 degrees from the equator, are notable parallels. The Arctic Circle and Antarctic Circle, which are close to the North and South Poles, respectively, are both located at 66.5 degrees from the equator. 

 

The planet is divided into the Eastern and Western Hemispheres by the prime meridian, which is located at 0 degrees longitude. A hypothetical line that passes through the Royal Observatory in the London neighborhood of Greenwich, England, is known as the prime meridian. The continents of Europe, Asia, and Australia are found in the Eastern Hemisphere, whereas North and South America are found in the Western Hemisphere. From 1 to 180 degrees east (E) are all meridians (lines of longitude) east of the prime meridian (0 and 180); from 1 to 180 degrees west (W) are all meridians (lines of longitude) west of the prime meridian (0 and 180). 

 

There is no letter associated with the 0 or 180 lines. The International Date Line is the meridian at 180 degrees. The prime meridian is opposite the International Date Line (180 degrees longitude), which marks the beginning of each day (Monday, Tuesday, etc.). The International Date Line observes a 12-hour clock, with each day beginning at that time. The prime meridian should not be confused with the International Date Line (180 longitude). The 180-degree meridian is not exactly followed by the International Date Line in reality. The International Date Line has undergone a number of modifications to account for political agreements to include an island or country on one side of the line or the other. 

 

The tilt of the earth's axis is 23.5 degrees. Because of fluctuations in the angle of direct sunlight on the planet as it revolves around the sun, the tilt of the earth's axis creates distinct climatic seasons. Climates are warmer in areas that receive more direct sunlight. The greater angle of solar radiation near the earth's poles causes more sunlight to be reflected, which results in a cooler environment elsewhere. Winter occurs in the Northern Hemisphere when sunlight is reflected off the planet's surface and less of its energy is absorbed due to the sun's steeper angle. The most northerly point on Earth, receiving direct sunshine throughout the summer in the Northern Hemisphere, is the parallel known as the Tropic of Cancer, which is located at 23.5 degrees north of the equator. 

 

Keep in mind that the planet is inclined 23.5 degrees, which explains seasonal climate fluctuations. The most southerly point on Earth, the Tropic of Capricorn, is the parallel at 23.5 degrees south of the equator and receives direct sunshine during the summer in the Southern Hemisphere. The two imaginary lines (Cancer and Capricorn) directly above which the sun shines on the two solstices—June 20 or 21 (summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere) and December 21 or 22—are known as the tropics (winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere). 

 

At noon on June 20 or 21, the sun will be directly above the Tropic of Cancer, signaling the start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of winter in the Southern. On December 21 or 22, at noon, the sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Capricorn, signaling the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of summer in the Southern. At the extreme ends of each season, known as solstices, the line of direct sunlight is either at its farthest north or south positions ever. 

 

The term "tropics" refers to the area between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Due to the lack of significant seasonal variations, this region does not undergo significant seasonal shifts. Significant seasonal climate fluctuation is found in the higher latitudes (north of the Tropic of Cancer and south of the Tropic of Capricorn). A line of latitude at 66.5 degrees north is known as the Arctic Circle. It is the northernmost location that experiences wintertime sunlight (90 N 23.5 = 66.5 N). The North Pole does not receive a lot of sunlight in the winter because it is hidden from the sun. Sometimes the majority of a twenty-four-hour day is spent in darkness. The North Pole faces more directly toward the sun during the summer months of the Northern Hemisphere and may have longer periods of daylight during the twenty-four-hour day. At 66.5 degrees south, the Antarctic Circle is the corresponding line of latitude. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is the place that is the furthest south and receives sunshine during the winter (90 S 23.5 = 66.5 S). In the south, it is summer while it is winter in the north.

 

The polar day, a twenty-four-hour light day, and the polar night are marked by the Arctic and Antarctic Circles, respectively, at their southern and northern extremities (twenty-four-hour sunless night). At least twice a year, the sun is above the horizon for twenty-four straight hours, and at least once a year, it is below the horizon for twenty-four straight hours. Although it also happens south of the Antarctic Circle, in the direction of the South Pole, this is true close to the Antarctic Circle. 

 

Equinoxes take place in the spring and fall on or around March 20 or 21 and September 22 or 23, respectively, when the line of direct sunlight strikes the equator and days and nights are of equal length.