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Q63 (NDA-I/2011) Geography › World Physical Geography › World physical mapping Answer Verified

The latitude is the angular distance of a point on the Earth’s surface, north or south, of the Equator as measured from the:

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: A
Explanation

Latitude is defined as the angular distance of a point on the Earth's surface, north or south of the Equator, measured in degrees from the centre of the Earth [t2]. While the Equator serves as the reference plane (0° latitude), the actual angle is subtended at the Earth's center [t2][t4]. Specifically, geocentric latitude is the angle between the equatorial plane and a line connecting the point to the Earth's center [t1][t2]. In contrast, geodetic latitude—the standard used in mapping—is the angle between the equatorial plane and a line normal to the surface [t1][t5]. However, in general geographic definitions, the measurement is fundamentally described as an angular distance from the center [t4]. This system allows for the division of the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, reaching 90° at the poles [t4][t7].

Sources

  1. [1] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 2: The Earth's Crust > To calculate the latitude of a place from the Sun's elevation, at a certain part of the year > p. 9
  2. [2] https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/latitude.html
  3. [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geodetic_coordinates
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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

NDA-II · 2008 · Q12 Relevance score: -2.31

Which of the following statements is/are correct with regard to lines of latitude? 1. They are concentric circles numbered from 0° to 90°. 2. They are circles on a globe which are parallel to the Equator and which are to the North and South of the Equator. Select the correct answer using the code give below :

CDS-II · 2025 · Q88 Relevance score: -2.90

Which of the following statements with reference to lines of latitudes is/are correct ? 1. The distance between two successive latitudes changes slightly from the equator to the poles. 2. If parallels of latitude are drawn at an interval of one degree, the total number of parallels thus drawn, including the equator, will be 179. Select the answer using the code given below :

CDS-I · 2012 · Q13 Relevance score: -3.00

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