What do lines of latitude on a globe or map measure?

Introduction / Context:
Latitude and longitude form the basic coordinate system used to describe any position on the Earth's surface. Questions about what latitude and longitude measure are common in school level geography and competitive exams. This question asks specifically about the purpose of lines of latitude on a globe or world map. Understanding that latitudes measure north south position relative to the Equator is essential for reading maps, understanding climate zones, and interpreting time zones.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question focuses on lines of latitude, not longitude.
• We assume a standard world map or globe representation.
• Options describe different directions and one unrelated concept (height above sea level).
• No calculations are needed; the answer is conceptual.

Concept / Approach:
Latitude lines are imaginary circles that run east west around the Earth, but they measure how far a place lies north or south of the Equator. Values of latitude range from zero degrees at the Equator to ninety degrees north at the North Pole and ninety degrees south at the South Pole. Therefore, the key idea is that although latitude lines are drawn horizontally, they express vertical, that is north south, position between the poles. Longitude, by contrast, measures east west position from the prime meridian at Greenwich.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that latitude is defined as the angular distance of a point north or south of the Equator. Step 2: Understand that latitudes are parallel circles running east west but labeled with degrees north or south. Step 3: Recognize that their numerical value tells you how far you are from the Equator toward either pole. Step 4: Compare the options and find the one stating that latitude measures north south position between the poles. Step 5: Select “North south position between the poles” as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, you can recall examples: the Equator is at zero degrees latitude, the Tropic of Cancer at about 23.5 degrees north, and the Arctic Circle at about 66.5 degrees north. All of these numbers tell you how far north or south of the Equator a location sits, which confirms that latitude is about north south positioning. No standard definition of latitude mentions east west position, which is instead related to longitude measured from the prime meridian at Greenwich.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
East west position between the poles: East west position is described by longitude, not latitude, so this option confuses the two coordinate types.
North east position between the poles: This direction is not used in defining latitude in any standard geographic system and is therefore incorrect.
South west position between the poles: Similar to the previous option, this direction does not describe latitude or longitude properly.
Height above sea level: Height above sea level is represented by elevation or altitude, not by latitude, so it is a completely different concept.

Common Pitfalls:
A typical mistake is to focus on the way latitude lines are drawn, running east west, and to conclude that they measure east west position. This is misleading because the purpose of latitude is to show north south angular distance from the Equator. Another pitfall is mixing up latitude with altitude due to similar sounding words, although they represent different ideas. To avoid confusion, remember the phrase latitude ladder to connect latitude with moving up and down the globe, which means north and south, not east and west.

Final Answer:
Lines of latitude on a globe or map are used to measure the north south position between the poles.