Leveysasteita

Leveysasteita, the Finnish term for latitude, refer to the angular measurement of a point's position north or south of the equator. Latitude is measured in degrees, with the equator at 0°, the North Pole at 90° north, and the South Pole at 90° south. The concept originates from the need to navigate and map the Earth's surface, becoming a fundamental component of the geographic coordinate system.

In practice, latitude lines form a series of parallel circles around the Earth, known as parallels. They are perpendicular to meridians, which run from pole to pole. The system uses a reference called the datum, usually the World Geodetic System (WGS84), to account for the Earth's ellipsoidal shape. Geodesy, the science concerned with measuring and mapping Earth, employs precise instruments such as GPS receivers to determine latitude to several decimal places.

Latitudinal zones influence climate, ecosystems, and daylight patterns. Near the equator, temperatures remain relatively stable year-round, whereas higher latitudes experience significant seasonal variations. The Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn, at approximately 23.5° north and south, mark the limits of the region where the sun can appear directly overhead during solstices.

Latitude units are translated through commonly used abbreviations: N for north, S for south, followed by the degree symbol and decimal minutes or seconds. International navigation and civil aviation rely heavily on accurate latitudinal data for routing, positioning, and safety. The concept also underpins many scientific disciplines, including meteorology, oceanography, and environmental science, where precise location is essential for observation and analysis.