Latitude vs. Parallel — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 6, 2024
Latitude lines measure north-south position between the poles, whereas parallels are specific latitude lines that encircle the Earth horizontally.
Difference Between Latitude and Parallel
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Latitude is a geographic coordinate that specifies the north-south position of a point on the Earth's surface, measured in degrees from the equator. Parallels, on the other hand, refer to the lines that latitude forms on a map or globe, running east to west.
Each degree of latitude is approximately 69 miles (111 kilometers) apart, with the equator at 0° latitude and the poles at 90° north and south latitudes. Parallels remain constant in their distance from each other, marking specific latitudes across the globe.
Latitude lines are used in navigation, geography, and meteorology to describe the location and climate of regions. Whereas parallels serve as references for mapping and dividing the Earth into different climate zones and time zones.
High latitude regions experience more seasonal variation in climate and daylight, due to their angle relative to the sun. Conversely, regions along the equator (a specific parallel) enjoy nearly constant weather and daylight hours year-round.
Notable parallels include the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, which mark the furthest north and south latitudes where the sun can be directly overhead. These are critical for understanding the Earth's climatic patterns, whereas latitude in general helps with broader geographic orientation.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Measure of north-south position
Specific lines of latitude
Function
Determines location, climate
Serves as reference lines
Measurement
Degrees from the equator
Constant degrees latitude
Impact on Climate
Affects seasonal variation
Marks climate zones
Notable Examples
Equator, poles
Equator, Tropic of Cancer
Compare with Definitions
Latitude
Integral in geographical data.
Latitude is key in GPS coordinates.
Parallel
Specific to certain latitudes.
The Arctic Circle is a well-known parallel.
Latitude
Varies from 0° to 90°.
The equator has a latitude of 0°.
Parallel
Helps in climate zoning.
Parallels are used to define climatic regions on Earth.
Latitude
Used in navigation.
Sailors calculate their north-south position in terms of latitude.
Parallel
A circle of constant latitude.
The 49th parallel marks part of the border between the USA and Canada.
Latitude
Influences climate.
Cities at higher latitudes experience more extreme seasons.
Parallel
Used in mapping.
Maps often display parallels to help locate places.
Latitude
Measure of north-south position.
The latitude of New York City is approximately 40.7128° N.
Parallel
Does not converge.
Unlike meridians, all parallels are equidistant from each other.
Latitude
In geography, latitude is a geographic coordinate that specifies the north–south position of a point on the Earth's surface. Latitude is an angle (defined below) which ranges from 0° at the Equator to 90° (North or South) at the poles.
Parallel
Being an equal distance apart everywhere
Dancers in two parallel rows. See Usage Note at absolute.
Latitude
The angular distance of a place north or south of the earth's equator, or of the equator of a celestial object, usually expressed in degrees and minutes
Lines of latitude
At a latitude of 51° N
Parallel
Of, relating to, or designating two or more straight coplanar lines that do not intersect.
Latitude
Scope for freedom of action or thought
Journalists have considerable latitude in criticizing public figures
Parallel
Of, relating to, or designating two or more planes that do not intersect.
Latitude
The angular distance north or south of the earth's equator, measured in degrees along a meridian, as on a map or globe.
Parallel
Of, relating to, or designating a line and a plane that do not intersect.
Latitude
A region of the earth considered in relation to its distance from the equator:temperate latitudes.
Parallel
Of, relating to, or designating curves or surfaces everywhere equidistant.
Latitude
(Astronomy)The angular distance of a celestial body north or south of the ecliptic.
Parallel
Having comparable parts, analogous aspects, or readily recognized similarities
The parallel lives of two contemporaries.
Latitude
Freedom from normal restraints, limitations, or regulations.
Parallel
Having the same tendency or direction
Parallel motives and aims.
Latitude
A range of values or conditions, especially the range of exposures over which a photographic film yields usable images.
Parallel
(Grammar) Having identical or equivalent syntactic constructions in corresponding clauses or phrases.
Latitude
(Archaic)Width; breadth.
Parallel
Moving in the same direction at a fixed interval
Parallel motion.
Parallel fifths.
Latitude
The angular distance north or south from a planet's equator, measured along the meridian of that particular point.
Parallel
Having the same tonic. Used of scales and keys
C minor is the parallel minor scale of C major.
Latitude
(geography) An imaginary line (in fact a circumference) around a planet running parallel to the planet's equator.
Parallel
(Electronics) Denoting a circuit or part of a circuit connected in parallel.
Latitude
(figurative) The relative freedom from restrictions; scope to do something.
His parents gave him a great deal of latitude.
Parallel
Of or relating to the simultaneous transmission of all the bits of a byte over separate wires
A parallel port.
A parallel interface.
Latitude
(astronomy) The angular distance of a heavenly body from the ecliptic.
Parallel
Of or relating to the simultaneous performance of multiple operations
Parallel processing.
Latitude
(photography) The extent to which a light-sensitive material can be over- or underexposed and still achieve an acceptable result.
Parallel
In a parallel relationship or manner
A road and a railway that run parallel.
Latitude
Extent or scope; e.g. breadth, width or amplitude.
Parallel
(Mathematics) One of a set of parallel geometric figures, such as lines or planes.
Latitude
Extent from side to side, or distance sidewise from a given point or line; breadth; width.
Provided the length do not exceed the latitude above one third part.
Parallel
One that closely resembles or is analogous to another
A unique event, without parallel in history.
Latitude
Room; space; freedom from confinement or restraint; hence, looseness; laxity; independence.
In human actions there are no degrees and precise natural limits described, but a latitude is indulged.
Parallel
A comparison indicating likeness; an analogy.
Latitude
Extent or breadth of signification, application, etc.; extent of deviation from a standard, as truth, style, etc.
No discreet man will believe Augustine's miracles, in the latitude of monkish relations.
Parallel
The condition of being parallel; near similarity or exact agreement in particulars; parallelism.
Latitude
Extent; size; amplitude; scope.
I pretend not to treat of them in their full latitude.
Parallel
Any of the imaginary lines representing degrees of latitude that encircle the earth parallel to the plane of the equator.
Latitude
Distance north or south of the equator, measured on a meridian.
Parallel
(Printing) A sign indicating material referred to in a note or reference.
Latitude
The angular distance of a heavenly body from the ecliptic.
Parallel
(Electronics) An arrangement of components in a circuit that splits the current into two or more paths. Used chiefly in the phrase in parallel.
Latitude
The angular distance between an imaginary line around a heavenly body parallel to its equator and the equator itself
Parallel
To make or place parallel to something else
Paralleled the ditch to the highway.
Latitude
Freedom from normal restraints in conduct;
The new freedom in movies and novels
Allowed his children considerable latitude in how they spent their money
Parallel
To be or extend parallel to
A trail that parallels the crater rim.
Latitude
An imaginary line around the Earth parallel to the equator
Parallel
To be similar or analogous to
Claimed that fetal development parallels the evolution of the species.
Latitude
Scope for freedom of e.g. action or thought; freedom from restriction
Parallel
To be or provide an equal for; match.
Parallel
To show to be analogous; compare or liken
Critics who have paralleled the novel's plot to an ancient myth.
Parallel
Equally distant from one another at all points.
The horizontal lines on my notebook paper are parallel.
Parallel
Having the same overall direction; the comparison is indicated with "to".
The two railway lines are parallel.
Parallel
Either not intersecting, or coinciding.
Parallel
(computing) Involving the processing of multiple tasks at the same time.
A parallel algorithm
Parallel
With a parallel relationship.
The road runs parallel to the canal.
Parallel
One of a set of parallel lines.
Parallel
Direction conformable to that of another line.
Parallel
A line of latitude.
The 31st parallel passes through the center of my town.
Parallel
An arrangement of electrical components such that a current flows along two or more paths; see in parallel.
Parallel
Something identical or similar in essential respects.
Parallel
A comparison made; elaborate tracing of similarity.
Johnson's parallel between Dryden and Pope
Parallel
(military) One of a series of long trenches constructed before a besieged fortress, by the besieging force, as a cover for troops supporting the attacking batteries. They are roughly parallel to the line of outer defenses of the fortress.
Parallel
(printing) A character consisting of two parallel vertical lines, used in the text to direct attention to a similarly marked note in the margin or at the foot of a page.
Parallel
To construct or place something parallel to something else.
Parallel
Of a path etc: To be parallel to something else.
Parallel
Of a process etc: To be analogous to something else.
Parallel
To compare or liken something to something else.
Parallel
To make to conform to something else in character, motive, aim, etc.
Parallel
To equal; to match; to correspond to.
Parallel
To produce or adduce as a parallel.
Parallel
Extended in the same direction, and in all parts equally distant; as, parallel lines; parallel planes.
Revolutions . . . parallel to the equinoctial.
Parallel
Having the same direction or tendency; running side by side; being in accordance (with); tending to the same result; - used with to and with.
When honor runs parallel with the laws of God and our country, it can not be too much cherished.
Parallel
Continuing a resemblance through many particulars; applicable in all essential parts; like; similar; as, a parallel case; a parallel passage.
Parallel
A line which, throughout its whole extent, is equidistant from another line; a parallel line, a parallel plane, etc.
Who made the spider parallels design,Sure as De Moivre, without rule or line ?
Parallel
Direction conformable to that of another line,
Lines that from their parallel decline.
Parallel
Conformity continued through many particulars or in all essential points; resemblance; similarity.
Twixt earthly females and the moonAll parallels exactly run.
Parallel
A comparison made; elaborate tracing of similarity; as, Johnson's parallel between Dryden and Pope.
Parallel
Anything equal to, or resembling, another in all essential particulars; a counterpart.
None but thyself can be thy parallel.
Parallel
One of the imaginary circles on the surface of the earth, parallel to the equator, marking the latitude; also, the corresponding line on a globe or map; as, the counry was divided into North and South at the 38th parallel.
Parallel
One of a series of long trenches constructed before a besieged fortress, by the besieging force, as a cover for troops supporting the attacking batteries. They are roughly parallel to the line of outer defenses of the fortress.
Parallel
A character consisting of two parallel vertical lines (thus, ) used in the text to direct attention to a similarly marked note in the margin or at the foot of a page.
Parallel
That arrangement of an electrical system in which all positive poles, electrodes, terminals, etc., are joined to one conductor, and all negative poles, etc., to another conductor; - called also multiple. Opposed to series.
Parallel
To place or set so as to be parallel; to place so as to be parallel to, or to conform in direction with, something else.
The needle . . . doth parallel and place itself upon the true meridian.
Parallel
Fig.: To make to conform to something else in character, motive, aim, or the like.
His life is paralleledEven with the stroke and line of his great justice.
Parallel
To equal; to match; to correspond to.
Parallel
To produce or adduce as a parallel.
My young remembrance can not parallelA fellow to it.
Parallel
To be parallel; to correspond; to be like.
Parallel
Something having the property of being analogous to something else
Parallel
An imaginary line around the Earth parallel to the equator
Parallel
Be parallel to;
Their roles are paralleled by ours
Parallel
Make or place parallel to something;
They paralleled the ditch to the highway
Parallel
Duplicate or match;
The polished surface twinned his face and chest in reverse
Parallel
Being everywhere equidistant and not intersecting;
Parallel lines never converge
Concentric circles are parallel
Dancers in two parallel rows
The axes are perpendicular to each other
Parallel
Of or relating to the simultaneous performance of multiple operations;
Parallel processing
Common Curiosities
How is latitude used in navigation?
Latitude is used to determine a location's north-south position on the Earth.
Can latitude affect climate?
Yes, latitude influences the seasonal weather patterns and daylight duration of a location.
Why are certain parallels named?
Specific parallels, like the Tropic of Cancer, have climatic and astronomical significance.
What is the difference between latitude and a parallel?
Latitude is a coordinate measurement, while a parallel is the actual line that this measurement creates on the globe.
What is latitude?
Latitude is a measurement in degrees that shows how far north or south a location is from the equator.
How do latitude and parallels affect time zones?
Parallels don't affect time zones directly; however, they are used along with meridians to define time zone boundaries.
What are parallels?
Parallels are lines on maps and globes that represent points of equal latitude.
Are all parallels the same length?
No, parallels decrease in length as they move from the equator towards the poles.
What latitude are the poles?
The poles are at 90° north and south latitudes.
How are parallels helpful in geography?
They help in accurately depicting the globe on flat maps and in dividing the Earth into different zones.
Is every line of latitude a parallel?
Yes, every line of latitude can be considered a parallel because it encircles the planet at a constant latitude.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
