What do latitude lines represent on a map?

Latitude lines represent the geographic coordinates used to indicate the position of points on the Earth's surface relative to the equator. These lines run horizontally around the globe, parallel to the equator, which is designated as 0 degrees latitude. Each line of latitude indicates how far north or south a location is from the equator, measured in degrees.

The horizontal nature of latitude lines allows for the mapping of regions across the globe in relation to the equatorial line, making them essential for navigation, climate studies, and understanding Earth's geography. Hence, the correct understanding of latitude is fundamental in various applications, including cartography and global positioning systems. Lines that run vertically actually represent longitude, which indicates the position of points east or west of the Prime Meridian. Lines indicating elevation correspond to topographic features and are often represented with contour lines, while political boundaries are typically shown with different markers and colors on a map, not just lines of latitude.