The lines that run parallel to the Equator are known as what?

The lines that run parallel to the Equator are known as what?

• A. Meridian lines
• B. Latitude lines
• C. Equator lines
• D. Longitude lines

Answer: (B)

Lines that run parallel to the Equator are lines of latitude, also called parallels. They circle the globe east to west and show how far north or south you are from the Equator. The Equator itself is 0° latitude, and latitude increases toward the poles up to 90° in the north or south. This differs from longitude lines, which run north–south and measure east–west position; they are called meridians and they converge at the poles rather than running parallel. The term “Equator lines” isn’t used because there is just one Equator, while lines of latitude form a grid of parallels that help locate any place on the globe. On charts, you typically use latitude first, then longitude; each degree of latitude equals about 60 nautical miles, which helps with distance estimation.

Lines that run parallel to the Equator are lines of latitude, also called parallels. They circle the globe east to west and show how far north or south you are from the Equator. The Equator itself is 0° latitude, and latitude increases toward the poles up to 90° in the north or south. This differs from longitude lines, which run north–south and measure east–west position; they are called meridians and they converge at the poles rather than running parallel. The term “Equator lines” isn’t used because there is just one Equator, while lines of latitude form a grid of parallels that help locate any place on the globe. On charts, you typically use latitude first, then longitude; each degree of latitude equals about 60 nautical miles, which helps with distance estimation.