Latitude Bands — Definition of Middle Latitudes Middle latitudes (also called temperate zones) extend approximately between which parallels in each hemisphere?

Introduction / Context:Geographers divide Earth into latitude zones: low (tropics), middle (temperate), and high (polar). Knowing the boundaries is essential for climate patterns, wind belts, and daylight variations. The “middle latitudes” are neither tropical nor polar, sitting between the subtropical boundaries and the polar circles.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Tropics are bounded by 23.5° (Tropic of Cancer/Capricorn).
• Polar Circles occur at roughly 66.5° (Arctic/Antarctic Circles).
• Question asks for the band covering both hemispheres.

Concept / Approach:

By definition, middle latitudes lie between the Tropics (23.5°) and the Polar Circles (66.5°). This zone experiences pronounced seasonal changes and hosts the prevailing westerlies. Therefore, “23.5° and 66.5° in both the hemispheres” is the standard textbook demarcation. The other options either truncate the zone or misstate the boundaries.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Recall fixed parallels: Tropics at 23.5°, Polar Circles at 66.5°.Thus, middle latitudes = 23.5° to 66.5° N and S.Choose the option stating both bounds in both hemispheres.

Verification / Alternative check:

Introductory climatology texts and world-atlas diagrams use the same limits when describing temperate zones and wind belts.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

23.5° N to 32.5° S: Asymmetric and too narrow.66° N to 66° S: Near polar circles but ignores the 23.5° boundary.North Pole to South Pole: Encompasses all latitudes; not specific.

Common Pitfalls:

Rounding 66.5° to 66° can misplace the boundary; the accepted value is approximately 66.5° because Earth’s axial tilt is ~23.5°.

Final Answer:

23.5° and 66.5° in both the hemispheres