Meaning:
Latitude is the distance of a place north or south of the Equator, measured in degrees.

How it affects climate:

• The Equator (0° latitude) receives direct sunlight all year round → hot climate.

• As we move towards the poles (90° N or S), sunlight becomes slanting → less heat → cold climate.

• The Earth is divided into three heat zones based on latitude:

  • Torrid Zone (Tropics): Hot all year (e.g., Singapore, Brazil).

  • Temperate Zone: Moderate climate (e.g., India, USA, France).

  • Frigid Zone (Polar): Very cold (e.g., Greenland, Antarctica).

Example:

• Chennai (near the Equator): Hot and humid.

• Moscow (high latitude): Cold most of the year.

   

Altitude (Height above Sea Level)

Meaning:
Altitude is the height of a place above sea level.

How it affects climate:

• Temperature decreases with height.

• For a vertical rise of 165 metres there is an average decrease in temperature at the rate of 1°C.

• High-altitude places have cooler climates even if they are near the Equator.

Reason:
Air becomes thinner and cooler at higher elevations because it cannot hold much heat.

Example:

• Delhi (low altitude): Hot in summer.

• Shimla (high altitude, same latitude): Cool throughout the year.

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