Latitude is a geographic coordinate that specifies the north-south position of a point on the Earth’s surface. It is measured in degrees, with values ranging from 0° at the equator to 90° (North or South) at the poles. Latitude plays an important role in determining climate and other environmental factors around the world.
In general, as one moves away from either pole towards lower latitudes, temperatures become warmer due to increased solar radiation received by locations closer to the equator. This phenomenon can be seen when comparing climates between temperate regions near 30° latitude and polar regions near 60° latitude; temperatures tend to be much higher around 30° than they are nearer 60 °N or S.
Additionally, ocean currents also tend to follow lines of latitude which further influences temperature variation across different areas of landmass located at similar latitudes but separated by oceans or large bodies of water such as lakes and rivers.
The shape and size of continents also play an important role in determining local climates because it affects wind patterns that move air masses carrying moisture over landmasses which ultimately results in precipitation occurring more frequently within certain areas compared with others nearby but located outside those particular wind corridors.
For example , coastal cities along North America’s Pacific Northwest region have significantly wetter weather compared with inland cities situated just eastward due their location within a prevailing westerly flow path originating off Hawaii known as “the pineapple express”.
Therefore, latitude has immense influence on global climate patterns making it an essential factor for understanding how different parts our planet experience varying levels heat energy throughout year based upon their distance relative sun’s rays coming down through atmosphere above us all!