Question

Define latitude.

Answer 1

Hint:
As you know to indicate an object or a thing we are using coordinates. Same as to indicate a country we can use geographic coordinates. One method to indicate a country in geographic coordinates is a spherical coordinate system. The spherical coordinate system using latitude, longitude & elevation.


Complete solution:
A basic idea of reference ellipsoids is to serve as a basis for a coordinate system of latitude (north/south), longitude (east/west), and ellipsoidal height. To achieve this we have to identify a zero meridian, which for Earth is usually the Prime Meridian. Latitude, Longitude are imaginary lines that have been drawn on the globe. One set running east & west, parallel to the equator, are called lines of latitude. The other set runs north-south passing through the poles are called lines of longitude. Another definition says that Latitude is the angular distance of a point on the earth’s surface, measured in degree from the centre of the earth. Between 0° & 90°N& 90°S latitude are drawn at intervals of 1°. For precise location on the map, each degree is subdivided into 60 minutes & each minute is subdivided into 60 seconds. The most important lines of latitude are the equator, the Tropic of Cancer(23½° N) & tropic of Capricon(23½° S), The arctic Circle(66½° N) & the Antarctic Circle(66½° S).

Note:
The Intersection of longitude & latitude pin-points any place on the earth’s surface. For example, Delhi is 28°37’ N and 77°10’ E. The equator represents 0° & the North & south poles are 90° N. & 90° S. Tropic of cancer passed through eight states in India.