How is latitude measured?

Latitude is measured as an angular distance north or south of the equator, which is designated as 0 degrees. Lines of latitude run parallel to the equator, and the measurement ranges from 0 degrees at the equator to 90 degrees at the poles—both north and south. This means that the latitude coordinates indicate how far a point is from the equator, with positive values for locations in the northern hemisphere and negative values for those in the southern hemisphere.

In contrast, some options mention aspects of longitude or misrepresent the measurement system used. For example, measuring from 0 to 180 degrees east and west refers to longitude, which defines the distance from the prime meridian, not latitude. Similarly, measuring from 0 to 360 degrees around the Earth complicates the understanding of latitude, as the objective is to determine a range confined to half of the globe (north and south of the equator), rather than around the entire sphere. Therefore, the most accurate description of how latitude is measured relates to its position relative to the equator, making the choice that focuses on this context correct.