Circle of latitude
On the Earth, a circle of latitude is an imaginary east-west circle that connects all locations with a given latitude. A location's position along a circle of latitude is given by its longitude. Circles of latitude are often called parallels because they are parallel to each other. It is measured in absolute location.
The five major circles of latitude are, from north to south:
- The Arctic Circle (66.5°N)
- The Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N)
- The Equator (0°)
- The Tropic of Capricorn (23.5°S)
- The Antarctic Circle (66.5°S)
Circle Of Latitude Media
The Mercator projection of a world map. The angles are untrue for area, especially at high latitudes. Also note increasing distances between the latitudes towards the poles and the parallel lines of longitude. The only true world map is the globe. The Mercator projection comes from a globe inside a cylinder.
The Mercator projection and its use on a world map. This projection first came into use in the 16th century by the Dutch.
The five major circles of latitude shown on an equirectangular projection of Earth.
Diagram showing the derivation of the major circles of latitude on the Earth.
Relationship of Earth's axial tilt (ε) to the tropical and polar circles
World map with equator in SVG format. Based on World.svg.
World map with arctic circle
World map with antarctic circle
World map with tropic of cancer
World map with tropic of capricorn
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