Description: Earth is a sphere. To define locations on Earth two sets of imaginary lines are drawn onto the surface of the sphere: Lines of latitude are circles which run around Earth parallel to the equator. The equator has a latitude of 0 degrees. Latitudes in the northern hemisphere are positive; latitudes in the southern hemisphere are negative. The North and South Poles have the highest/lowest latitudes. The North Pole is at +90 degrees and the South Pole at -90 degrees. There are also lines running in great circles through the poles. These are lines of longitude.

Related Terms:

• Equator
• Longitude
• Polar Circle
• Tropic
• North Pole
• South Pole

Term and definition status: This term and its definition have been approved by a research astronomer and a teacher

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