Which lines on a map run horizontally, indicating distances north and south?

Latitude refers to the imaginary lines that encircle the Earth horizontally, indicating the distance north or south of the Equator. These lines are measured in degrees, with the Equator at 0 degrees latitude and the poles at 90 degrees north and south. Understanding latitude is essential for navigation and geography, as it helps define locations and contributes to climate patterns and atmospheric behavior. In contrast, longitude consists of vertical lines that run from the North Pole to the South Pole, measuring distances east or west of the Prime Meridian. The Equator itself is a specific latitude line, while meridians are the lines of longitude. Hence, latitude is correctly identified as the lines that run horizontally on a map, indicating distance north and south.