Question

Differenciate between latitudes and longitudes.

Answer 1

Latitudes	Longitudes
1. Latitude comes from a Latin word “Latitudo”, meaning width.	1. Longitude is derived from a Latin word “Longitudo”, meaning height.
2. The circles drawn parallel to the equator at 1° interval are known as latitudes.	2. The semicircles drawn connecting pole to pole are known as longitudes.
3. There are 180 latitudes excluding the equator.	3. There are 360 longitudes.
4. Every latitude must be designated with either “N” or “S” direction.	4. Every longitude must be designated with either “E” or “W” direction.
5. They are also known as “Parallels”.	5. They are also known as “Meridians”.
6. The climate of a place can be identified with the help of latitudes.	6. The differences in time can be calculated with the help of longitudes.

Answer 2

Latitudes and longitudes are commonly referred to as geographical coordinates. They provide a systematic network of lines upon which the position of various surface features of the earth, can be represented. With the help of these coordinates, the location, distance and direction of various points can be easily determined. The locations on the Earth’s surface are determined by two reference lines known as latitude and longitude. In the table below, we have given the various difference between latitude and longitude.

Latitudes: All parallel circles from the equator up to the poles are called parallels of latitudes. Latitudes are measured in degrees.

Longitudes: The vertical lines running north-south, join the two poles. They are called the meridians of longitude. They are spaced farthest apart at the equator and converge at a point at each pole.