What does latitude measure?

Latitude measures the distance of a location from the equator, which is designated as 0 degrees latitude. It is expressed in degrees north or south of the equator. This measurement is crucial for geographic navigation and helps determine climate zones, time zones, and the positioning of various locations around the globe. The lines of latitude run parallel to the equator and help create a grid system that makes it easier to locate places on maps.

Other options, while they relate to geographic concepts, do not accurately define latitude. For example, the distance from the prime meridian pertains to longitude, not latitude. The total area of land on a map is not a function of latitude; instead, it involves measurements of area and scale. Likewise, measuring the distance between two points involves a different concept related to space and geometry rather than the specific measurement of latitude.