Lattitudes are imaginary lines that runs from East to West on a map. The lattitude of a place is the angular distance from the equator to that place. The lattitude which divides the globe into twwo equal parts is called the Equator or Lattitude 0°. Major lattitudes are:

1. Tropic of cancer - 23.5° North
2. Tropic of capricorn - 23.5° South
3. Equator - 0°
4. Artic circle - 66.5° North
5. Antarctic circle - 66.5° South

CALCULATING STRAGHT LINE DISTANCES USING LATTITUDE

Latitudes are used to locate places on the earth surface. They are also important in calculating straight line distances or longitudinal straight line distance between places. In order to calculate the distance Benwee two places.

1. We find the distance covered through one degree of latitude equal to 111km.
2. Find out the number of latitudes between the two places.
3. Multiply the distance through one degree of latitude by the number of latitudes between the two places.

Example: Find the longitudinal straight line distance between place A 45°N and place B 11°N.

Solution

-Distance covered through one degree of latitude = 111km.

-Number of latitudes between place A and place B = 45°-11° = 34°

-Longitudinal straight line distance = 111km * 34° = 3774km