Question

Which of the following is not a feature of lines of latitude ?

• A. They are parallel to each other
• B. They are concentric circles
• C. They converge at poles
• D. They are equidistant circles

Answer 1

Answer:

C. They converge at poles

Characteristics of Lines of Latitude

• Parallel Nature: Latitude lines are imaginary circles that run horizontally around the Earth, remaining parallel to each other at all times. They never intersect.

• Measurement: They represent the angular distance north or south of the Equator, measured in degrees (0° to 90°).

• Equator as Reference: The Equator (0°) is the largest circle and serves as the Great Circle, dividing the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

• Decreasing Length: Unlike lines of longitude (meridians), which are all equal in length, the circumference of latitude circles decreases as one moves from the Equator toward the poles, eventually becoming a point at 90° North and 90° South.

• Direction: These lines run in an East-West direction.

• Spacing: The distance between two consecutive degrees of latitude is approximately 111 kilometers (about 69 miles). This distance is relatively constant because the lines are parallel.