Latitudinal: meaning, definitions and examples
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latitudinal
[ ˌlætɪˈtudɪnəl ]
geographical context
Latitudinal refers to anything that is related to or situated along the lines of latitude, which are the imaginary horizontal lines that encircle the Earth. These lines help in measuring distances north or south of the Equator. In geographical studies, latitudinal variations are important as they influence climate, ecosystem types, and biodiversity across different regions. For example, tropical biomes are generally found near the equator, whereas polar conditions are observed at high latitudes.
Synonyms
equatorial, horizontal, parallel
Examples of usage
- Latitudinal studies reveal climate variations.
- The latitudinal distribution of species is significant for ecology.
- Latitudinal gradients can affect agricultural practices.
Translations
Translations of the word "latitudinal" in other languages:
🇵🇹 latitudinal
🇮🇳 अक्षांशीय
🇩🇪 breitenkreisförmig
🇮🇩 latitudinal
🇺🇦 широтний
🇵🇱 szerokościowy
🇯🇵 緯度の
🇫🇷 latitudinal
🇪🇸 latitudinal
🇹🇷 enlem ile ilgili
🇰🇷 위도에 관한
🇸🇦 عرضي
🇨🇿 šířkový
🇸🇰 šírkový
🇨🇳 纬度的
🇸🇮 širinski
🇮🇸 breiddar
🇰🇿 ендік
🇬🇪 სიგრძის
🇦🇿 enlem
🇲🇽 latitudinal
Etymology
The term 'latitudinal' is derived from the word 'latitude,' which itself originates from the Latin word 'latitudo,' meaning 'breadth' or 'width.' This Latin term comes from 'latus,' which means 'wide' or 'broad.' The concept of latitude has been essential in geography and navigation since ancient times, as it is pivotal in demarcating locations on the Earth's surface. The introduction of latitudinal measurements dates back to the early explorations of navigation, where sailors used celestial navigation and equatorial references to plot their journeys. Over time, with the advancements in cartography and geography, the term 'latitudinal' became a common descriptor for characteristics, distributions, and phenomena that vary according to latitude. This body of knowledge has expanded further with technological developments in satellite mapping and climate science, solidifying the importance of understanding latitudinal differences in the earth's environment.