Definition:Parallel of Latitude

Definition

Let $J$ be a point on Earth's surface that is not one of the two poles $N$ and $S$.

Let $C$ be the small circle through $J$ parallel to the plane containing the equator.

Then $C$ is known as the parallel of latitude of $J$.

Thus $C$ consists of all the points on Earth's surface which have the same latitude as $J$.

Also known as

The parallels of latitude are usually referred to just as parallels, and the context will make it clear what is meant.

Also see

• Definition:Latitude (Terrestrial)

• Definition:Meridian (Terrestrial)

Sources

• 1933: D.M.Y. Sommerville: Analytical Conics (3rd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text I$. Coordinates: $2$. Coordinates
• 1976: W.M. Smart: Textbook on Spherical Astronomy (6th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text I$. Spherical Trigonometry: $4$. Terrestrial latitude and longitude.
• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): parallel of latitude
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): parallel of latitude