Understand that latitudes are horizontal parallels measured in degrees from the Equator, and how they relate to the Earth's climate zones.
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Hook comparing latitudes to rings growing smaller toward the poles.
Imagine slicing an onion or an orange horizontally! The slice right in the middle is the largest. As you keep slicing towards the top and bottom, the circles get smaller and smaller. This is exactly how the Earth's grid system works for latitudes!
Explanation of the Equator, Poles, and parallels of latitude.
A globe is a model of the Earth. Because our planet is nearly spherical (slightly flattened at the poles), a globe represents it perfectly. Halfway between the North Pole and the South Pole is a fixed reference circle called the Equator.
Diagram showing the Equator and parallels decreasing in size toward the poles.
The Equator is the largest parallel. The circles grow progressively smaller as they approach the poles.
Practice basic facts about latitudes.
To map the Earth, we use a system of imaginary coordinates. The imaginary lines running horizontally across the globe are called of latitude. The largest of these circles is the , which represents 0° latitude. As you move northward or southward, these circles gradually grow smaller. They eventually shrink to fixed points at the very top and bottom of the globe. For example, the South Pole is located at the absolute bottom and is marked as .
How distance from the equator affects climate (torrid, temperate, frigid).
There is a direct connection between your latitude and the climate you experience. Around the Equator, the climate is generally hot. This central band of the Earth is known as the 'torrid' zone.
Illustration of the Earth divided into torrid, temperate, and frigid zones.
The Earth's climate changes with latitude, forming three main zones from the hot Equator to the freezing poles.
Match climate descriptions to their latitudinal zones.
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