Latitude is the distance from a point on the earth's surface to the equator, counted by the degrees of its meridian. This is measured in degrees, between 0 ° and 90 ° and can be represented in two ways: indicating to which hemisphere the coordinate belongs, or failing that by adding values, positive when it comes to north and negative when it comes to south .
Then, geographical coordinates, latitude, longitude, are the ones that ultimately make it possible to locate a place within the earth's surface. Parallels and meridians are imaginary or invisible lines that are drawn on the earth's surface with the aim of helping and facilitating this location. From these arise the coordinates and the crossing points that are what allow us to locate that required place.
The parallel 0 ° is the Equator and by which latitude can be determined. If the point to be located is above the Equator, it will speak of North latitude and if it is below it, we will speak of South Latitude.
This location of coordinates turns out to be essential at the behest of maritime navigation, especially, in the event of having to find lost ships or immersed in some kind of complication on the high seas.
Meanwhile, the Equator is an imaginary line, non-existent, drawn perpendicular to the rotational axis of the earth that divides it into two equal parts, the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere. On the other hand, the parallels are horizontal lines that are drawn in the same direction to the Equator and these, when they are assigned degrees in relation to their distance from the Equator, will become latitude coordinates.
What's more, latitude is a matter that has a direct impact on determining the climates of each area. Between the Equator and the tropics the climate is mostly warm and gets colder as we move away from the Equator and get closer to the North and South Poles.
On the other hand, At the request of Astronomy, the latitude will be the distance, counted in degrees, that there is from the Ecliptic to any point considered in the celestial sphere towards one of the poles.
Also, it is designated with the term of latitude to all the extension of a country or territory.
