latitudinë

Latitudinë is a term that refers to the geographical coordinate system used to specify the north-south position of a point on the Earth's surface. It is expressed in degrees, with the equator set at 0° latitude. The system ranges from 0° at the equator to 90° North at the North Pole and 90° South at the South Pole. Lines of latitude, also known as parallels, run horizontally around the globe and are used in conjunction with lines of longitude to pinpoint specific locations.

This coordinate system is integral to cartography, navigation, and geographic information systems. Latitude influences climate patterns; regions near the equator tend to have warmer climates, while those closer to the poles experience colder temperatures. Variations in daylight hours throughout the year are also affected by latitude, impacting ecosystems and human activities.

The concept of latitude has been used by various civilizations throughout history to create maps and facilitate exploration. Modern tools such as GPS rely heavily on the system to provide accurate positioning and navigation services. In addition, latitude plays a key role in defining time zones and understanding global climate zones.

In summary, latitudinë is a fundamental geographic measure that describes a location's position relative to the Earth's equatorial plane, underpinning many aspects of geographic, environmental, and navigational sciences.