Latitude facts for kids
Latitude is a way to measure how far north or south a place is on Earth. Think of it like invisible lines drawn around the globe, parallel to the Equator. These lines help us pinpoint exact locations. Latitude is measured in degrees, and the symbol for it is the Greek letter phi, which looks like 
. When you combine latitude with longitude, you can find any spot on our planet!
The Equator is the middle line, and it's marked as 0 degrees. Everything north of the Equator is called north latitude, and everything south is called south latitude.
Contents
How Latitude Helps Us
Latitude is super important for navigating and understanding our planet. It helps pilots fly planes, sailors steer ships, and even helps scientists study weather patterns. By knowing a place's latitude, we can learn a lot about its climate and what seasons it experiences.
Earth's Special Latitude Lines
Besides the Equator, there are a few other important lines of latitude that you should know about:
The Tropics: Cancer and Capricorn
The Tropic of Cancer is at about 23.5 degrees north latitude, and the Tropic of Capricorn is at about 23.5 degrees south latitude. These lines are special because they mark the farthest points north and south where the Sun's rays can shine directly overhead at noon. This happens during the solstices, which are the longest and shortest days of the year. The area between these two tropics is called the tropics, and it's usually warm all year round.
The Arctic and Antarctic Circles
The Arctic Circle is located at about 66.5 degrees north latitude, and the Antarctic Circle is at about 66.5 degrees south latitude. These circles mark the areas where, for at least one day a year, the Sun either never sets (called the midnight sun) or never rises (called polar night). These regions are very cold and are home to unique wildlife like polar bears and penguins.
The Poles
At the very top of the Earth is the North Pole, which is at 90 degrees north latitude. At the very bottom is the South Pole, at 90 degrees south latitude. These are the northernmost and southernmost points on Earth.
Related pages
See also
In Spanish: Latitud para niños
