Meaning of Parallel and Non Parallel in Geography
If you check out a World globe or map, you will notice some lines running across North-South and East-West. The lines running East-West are Latitude lines, and the ones running North-South are Longitude lines. The latitudes are also called parallel lines. There are other famous parallel words, like parallel lives and World, but they are not related to Geography.
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Parallel universe meaning in Quantum Mechanics refers to a Universe existing alongside our own in the theories, which stays undetectable. In contrast, as mentioned in various literature, Parallel Lives meaning is the collection of biographies of famous Greeks and Romans that Plutarch wrote and Shakespeare used.
Latitude
Latitude lines run across East-West and are paralleled. These lines indicate a point's North-South position on the Earth. The parallel lines start at 0 degrees at the Equator and end at 90 degrees at the North and the South poles. Therefore, as the degree of the latitude increases, it goes closer to the poles. The North of the Equator in the Northern hemisphere and towards the South is the Southern Hemisphere.
Distance Between the Latitude Lines
The latitude lines are called parallels, and in total, there are 180 degrees of latitude. The distance between each of the latitude degrees is around 69 miles (110 kilometers).
A Parallel
A parallel is a line that connects all the points along the same latitude line.
Major Parallel Lines
There are five significant parallel latitudes running across North-South: Equator, Arctic Circle, Antarctic Circle, Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn. Latitude (parallel lines) appear as the horizontal lines whenever the map or the globe's orientation is due North-South.
Here is a Brief on All 5 of Them:
1. The Equator
It divides the Earth into Northern and Southern hemispheres and marks a 0-degree latitude location. The locations existing on the Equator are at equal distance from the North and the South pole. It crosses 21.3% of the land and 78.7% of the water and runs around 24,901 miles (40,075 Km) long.
2. Tropic of Cancer
This parallel meaning is described as the line that marks the location where the Sun reaches Zenith. It does not represent a fixed point, and its measurement as of 2014 is 23° 26' 14.675". Every year on June 20th or 21st, Summer Solstice occurs, and that day marks the Sun shining vertically over this parallel.
3. Tropic of Capricorn
Tropic of Capricorn is also a parallel line that moves every year and is currently located at 23° 26' 14.440". Every year on December 21st or 22nd, Winter Solstice occurs, and it marks the day when Sun shines vertically above this line.
4. Arctic Circle
It is parallel to latitude, roughly lying at 66.5 degrees (66° 33' 44"). The region lying above it includes the North pole, also famous as the Arctic.
5. Antarctic Circle
It is parallel to latitude, roughly lying at 66.5 degrees (66° 33' 44"). The region lying below it includes the South pole, also famous as the Antarctic.
Horse Latitudes
It is located at around 30 degrees North and South of the Equators. It represents the area in the subtropical regions. In these regions, the winds diverge and flow towards the poles, known as the westerlies, or the Equator, known as the trade winds.
Longitude
Longitude lines run across North-South and mark the positions East-West for any point. Latitude is thus referred to as the angular distance east or West of Prime Meridian. Longitude lines run across the poles crossing equators at the right angles. All the longitude lines are equal in length, and each of them is also half of a great circle.
There is an availability of 360 degrees of longitude, and a 0-degree longitude line is famous as Prime Meridian. It divides the World into Western and Eastern hemispheres.
Meridian
As the latitude lines are popular as the parallel lines, the longitude lines are known as the Meridians. Distances towards the west of Prime Meridian are mentioned with a '-' in front of them (as negative numbers). The distances towards the East of Prime Meridian are the positive numbers.
FAQs on Parallel
1. What are parallels of latitude in Geography?
In Geography, parallels are imaginary horizontal lines that run from east to west around the Earth. They are called 'parallels' because they are always the same distance from each other and never meet. These lines are used to measure latitude, which is the distance of a place north or south of the Equator.
2. What are the five major parallels of latitude on Earth?
The five most important parallels of latitude that help define Earth's climate zones and seasons are:
- The Equator (0°)
- The Tropic of Cancer (23.5° North)
- The Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° South)
- The Arctic Circle (66.5° North)
- The Antarctic Circle (66.5° South)
3. What is the main difference between parallels and meridians?
The main difference lies in their direction and length. Parallels (lines of latitude) run east-west, are of different lengths, and are always parallel to each other. In contrast, meridians (lines of longitude) run north-south, are all the same length, and converge at the North and South Poles.
4. Why is the Equator considered the most important parallel?
The Equator is the most important parallel for three key reasons. First, it is the longest parallel. Second, it is the starting point (0° latitude) from which all other latitudes are measured. Third, it divides the Earth into two equal halves: the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere.
5. How do parallels of latitude help us understand the different heat zones of the Earth?
The major parallels act as boundaries for Earth's main heat zones. The area between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn is the Torrid Zone, which receives the most direct sunlight. The areas between the Tropics and the Arctic/Antarctic Circles are the Temperate Zones. The areas beyond the Arctic and Antarctic Circles are the cold Frigid Zones.
6. Are all parallels of latitude equal in length? Explain your answer.
No, they are not equal. The Equator is the longest parallel because it circles the widest part of the Earth. As you move north or south from the Equator towards the poles, the circumference of the Earth decreases. Consequently, the parallels become shorter, eventually becoming just a single point at the North Pole and the South Pole.
7. Besides locating places, what is another practical use of parallels?
Beyond just pinpointing locations, parallels have a crucial role in navigation and aviation. Pilots and sailors use latitudes to plot courses and ensure they are travelling in the correct direction. Parallels also help meteorologists track weather systems, as storms and wind patterns often move along specific latitudinal bands.
