Question

List the locations on Earth that represent \(0^{\circ}\) latitude, \(90^{\circ} \mathrm{N}\) latitude, and \(90^{\circ} \mathrm{S}\) latitude.

Short answer

0° latitude is the Equator; 90°N is the North Pole; 90°S is the South Pole.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Latitudes

Latitudes are imaginary lines that run parallel to the equator and measure how far north or south a point is from the equator. They are measured in degrees from 0° to 90°, with 0° at the equator.

Identify 0° Latitude

The location at 0^{ ext{°}} latitude is the Equator itself. It is the imaginary line that equally divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Identify 90°N Latitude

90^{ ext{°}} N latitude corresponds to the North Pole. This point is located at the top of the Earth's axis in the Northern Hemisphere.

Identify 90°S Latitude

90^{ ext{°}} S latitude corresponds to the South Pole. This point is located at the bottom of the Earth's axis in the Southern Hemisphere.

Key concepts

Equator

The Equator is a significant imaginary line encircling the Earth at 0° latitude. Imagine the Earth as a round orange, and the Equator is like the thick middle line that divides it into two equal halves, namely the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. The Equator is unique because it is the only line of latitude that is a great circle. This means it is the longest latitude line on the globe, because it circles the entire planet.
One of the fascinating aspects of the Equator is that it experiences consistent daylight throughout the year, and the length of day and night is almost the same, about 12 hours each. This consistency results in a stable climate with no extreme seasonal changes, making equatorial regions warm and often humid.
In terms of geography, several countries sit directly on the Equator, including Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, and Indonesia, among others. Being right at the center of the Earth, this line plays a crucial role in dividing climates and habitats across the planet. It marks the latitude where the sun is directly overhead on the equinoxes.

North Pole

The North Pole is an important geographic location situated at 90°N latitude. It represents the northernmost point on the Earth and is located at the top of the planet. Interestingly, unlike most locations on Earth, the North Pole is not part of any continent or land; rather, it is a point amidst a vast ocean and is covered by constantly shifting sea ice.
This unique geographic setup results in extremely long days and nights depending on the time of year. For six months, the North Pole experiences continuous daylight, often referred to as the "Midnight Sun," during which the sun stays above the horizon all day long. Conversely, the polar night lasts the other six months, where it remains dark 24 hours a day.
The North Pole is a critical point for navigation and climate studies. It is the starting point for all lines of longitude, which radiate outwards towards the Equator.

• Polar bears and Arctic foxes are iconic wildlife in this area.
• Temperature here can plummet to -40°C in the winter.

South Pole

Located at 90°S latitude, the South Pole is the southernmost point on the Earth and is stationed within the continent of Antarctica. Unlike the North Pole, the South Pole sits on a thick, permanent ice sheet covering a landmass. This ice is the thickest on Earth, hovering around 2,700 meters deep.
The South Pole shares the phenomenon of extended daylight and darkness with the North Pole. It experiences six months of sunlight during the Southern Hemisphere summer and six months of extended darkness during the winter. These extreme conditions create one of the most hostile environments on Earth, with temperatures dipping as low as -80°C, particularly during the long, dark winter months.
The South Pole is crucial for global scientific research. Many research stations are set up here to study climate change, glaciology, and astronomy, as the absence of light pollution and the altitude above sea level provide excellent conditions.

• Penguins and seals are some of the few forms of wildlife that can survive near this frigid location.
• The ice at the South Pole is primarily fresh water.