Latitude
Geography: KS3, topic 3.1.8
Latitude
Longitude and latitude are imaginary lines that we use to locate places on planet Earth. They help you to explain exactly where a place is. Lines of latitude run horizontally ‘across’ the earth.
What is latitude?
- Lines of latitude run from east to west on a map.
- The latitude of a place determines its climate.
Climate
- If a place has a low latitude, it is nearer the equator.
- This will make it a hot place.
- If a place has a high latitude, it is further from the equator.
- This will make it a cold place.
The equator
- Lines of latitude are parallel and evenly spaced.
- The equator is the line at 0 degrees latitude.
- The Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn are also important lines of latitude.
The Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn
- The Tropic of Cancer is at 23.5 degrees north.
- The Tropic of Capricorn is at 23.5 degrees south.
- In the northern hemisphere, the Arctic circle is found at 66.5 degrees north.
- In the southern hemisphere, the Antarctic circle is found at 66.5 degrees south.
Test yourself on Latitude
Click the true sentences about the hemispheres and tropics.