Final answer:
Lines of latitude are known as parallels, which are imaginary horizontal lines that circle the Earth, used to measure distances from the equator, the largest circle of latitude at 0 degrees.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lines of latitude, also known as parallels, are imaginary horizontal lines that run east and west around the Earth. These lines of latitude are used to measure distances north and south of the equator, which is the largest latitude line and is designated as 0 degrees latitude.
The equator divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. As you move away from the equator towards the poles, the circles of latitude decrease in size, eventually shrinking to a point at the north and south poles, at latitudes 90°N and 90°S (or -90°) respectively. Each line of latitude north of the equator is labeled with an 'N' to denote the north latitude, while each line south of the equator is labeled with an 'S' to denote the south latitude.