Latitude Archives

1. 50° South Latitude passes through

50° South Latitude passes through

South Africa.

Australia.

Argentina.

Uruguay.

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2021

Download PDF Attempt Online

The 50° South Latitude line passes through the southern part of Argentina.

– 50° South Latitude is located in the Southern Hemisphere.
– This latitude primarily passes through ocean areas (Southern Ocean).
– On land, it crosses the southern tip of South America, specifically Argentina and a small part of Chile.

South Africa is located much further north (mostly between 22°S and 35°S). Australia’s mainland does not extend south of 39°S, though Tasmania is between 40°S and 43°S. Uruguay is located north of 30°S latitude.

2. Hurricanes rarely form or move within 5 degrees of the equator,

Hurricanes rarely form or move within 5 degrees of the equator, because

Coriolis effect is weakest here

Coriolis effect is strongest here

it has low pressure

it has high temperature

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2012

Download PDF Attempt Online

Hurricanes (tropical cyclones) require the Coriolis effect to initiate and maintain their rotation. The Coriolis effect is an apparent force caused by the Earth’s rotation, which deflects moving objects (like air and water) to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This effect is zero at the equator and increases with latitude. For a tropical cyclone to form and rotate, the Coriolis effect must be strong enough to start the cyclonic circulation. Within 5 degrees of the equator, the Coriolis effect is too weak, preventing the necessary sustained rotation from developing, even if other conditions (warm water, unstable atmosphere, moisture) are present.

Tropical cyclones (hurricanes) require the Coriolis effect for rotation, and this effect is weakest near the equator (within approximately 5 degrees latitude).

Other conditions necessary for tropical cyclone formation include warm sea surface temperatures (typically above 26.5°C), sufficient atmospheric moisture, low vertical wind shear, and a pre-existing disturbance or low-pressure area. However, even if these conditions are met, the lack of sufficient Coriolis force near the equator inhibits formation.

3. Which one of the following is the longest parallel of latitude ?

Which one of the following is the longest parallel of latitude ?

Tropic of Cancer

Tropic of Capricorn

Arctic Circle

Equator

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2021

Download PDF Attempt Online

The Earth is roughly spherical, and parallels of latitude are circles drawn parallel to the Equator. The circumference of these circles decreases as they move away from the Equator towards the poles. The Equator itself is the largest circle of latitude, dividing the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

The Equator is the 0-degree parallel of latitude and has the largest circumference among all parallels.

The Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N), Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S), Arctic Circle (66.5° N), and Antarctic Circle (66.5° S) are all parallels of latitude, but their lengths are progressively shorter than the Equator.

4. Which one of the following is the longest Latitude ?

Which one of the following is the longest Latitude ?

90 degree Latitude

23.5 degree Latitude

0.0 degree Latitude

66.5 degree Latitude

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2021

Download PDF Attempt Online

The correct answer is 0.0 degree Latitude.

Latitudes are imaginary circles parallel to the equator. The equator (0 degrees latitude) is the largest circle of latitude. As the latitude increases towards the poles (90 degrees North or South), the circumference of the parallel of latitude decreases, becoming a point at the poles.

The equator is the line of latitude equidistant from the North and South poles, dividing the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. All other parallels of latitude are smaller circles. Therefore, the 0.0-degree latitude (the equator) is the longest latitude.

5. Which of the following statements related to latitude are true? 1. R

Which of the following statements related to latitude are true?

1. Rainfall, temperature and vegetation vary with latitude.
2. The difference between the longest day and the shortest day increases with latitude.
3. Indira Point is located approximately at 6°45′ N latitude.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 2 only

1 and 3 only

2 and 3

1, 2 and 3

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2017

Download PDF Attempt Online

The correct answer is D) 1, 2 and 3.

– Statement 1: Rainfall, temperature, and vegetation patterns are strongly influenced by latitude. Temperature generally decreases from the equator towards the poles due to varying angles of solar radiation. This temperature gradient affects rainfall patterns (e.g., equatorial rainforests, subtropical deserts, temperate forests, polar ice). Different climatic zones support distinct types of vegetation. Thus, this statement is true.
– Statement 2: The difference between the longest day and the shortest day increases with latitude. At the equator (0° latitude), the day and night are roughly 12 hours long throughout the year. As latitude increases towards the poles (90°), the variation between day and night length increases significantly, culminating in phenomena like the Midnight Sun and polar night within the Arctic and Antarctic circles (beyond ~66.5° latitude). Thus, this statement is true.
– Statement 3: Indira Point is the southernmost point of India’s territory (in the Great Nicobar Island). Its geographical coordinates are approximately 6°45′ North latitude. Thus, this statement is true.

Latitude is one of the fundamental factors influencing Earth’s climate and biological diversity. The variation in day length with latitude is a result of the tilt of the Earth’s axis relative to its orbital plane around the Sun.