parallels of latitude
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Related to parallels of latitude: Tropic of Cancer, longitude
parallels of latitude
Any of the imaginary lines on the surface of the earth lying in an east-west direction that are parallel to the equator. They are used as north and south references in navigating and mapmaking. The equator is the 0° parallel of latitude, the geographic north pole is the 90° north latitude, and the geographic south pole is the 90° south latitude. See latitude.
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