All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

Which of the following statements related to latitude are true?

1. Rainfall, temperature and vegetation vary with latitude.

2. The difference between the longest day and the shortest day increases with latitude.

3. Indira Point is located approximately at 6°45' N latitude.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2017 General Knowledge Previous Year Paper (05-Feb-2017)
The correct answer is

1, 2 and 3

Understanding Latitude and its Geographical Impact

Latitude is a geographical coordinate that specifies the north-south position of a point on the Earth's surface. It is an angle which ranges from 0° at the Equator to 90° at the poles (North and South).

Let's analyze each statement provided in the question regarding latitude.

Statement 1: Rainfall, temperature and vegetation vary with latitude.

This statement is true. Latitude significantly influences climate patterns, which in turn affect rainfall, temperature, and vegetation distribution across the globe.

  • Temperature: Regions closer to the Equator (lower latitudes) receive more direct sunlight, resulting in higher temperatures. As latitude increases towards the poles, sunlight becomes less direct and is spread over a larger area, leading to lower temperatures.
  • Rainfall: Global atmospheric circulation patterns, which are largely driven by latitudinal temperature differences, determine major rainfall zones. For example, equatorial regions often experience high rainfall due to rising air, while subtropical regions (around 30° latitude) are often associated with descending air and drier conditions, leading to deserts.
  • Vegetation: The type of vegetation that can grow in a region is heavily dependent on its temperature and rainfall. Therefore, as temperature and rainfall patterns vary with latitude, so do the types of biomes and vegetation cover (e.g., tropical rainforests near the equator, temperate forests in mid-latitudes, tundra and polar ice at high latitudes).

Thus, Statement 1 is correct.

Statement 2: The difference between the longest day and the shortest day increases with latitude.

This statement is also true. The tilt of the Earth's axis relative to its orbital plane causes seasons and variations in day length throughout the year, except right at the Equator.

  • At the Equator (\(\text{0°}\) latitude), day and night are approximately 12 hours each throughout the year, so the difference between the longest and shortest day is close to zero.
  • As you move towards higher latitudes, the seasonal variation in day length becomes more pronounced.
  • In the temperate zones, summer days are significantly longer than winter days.
  • At the poles (\(\text{90°}\) latitude), there are periods of continuous daylight (polar day or midnight sun) and continuous darkness (polar night), each lasting for several months. The difference between the longest 'day' (24 hours of sunlight) and the shortest 'day' (0 hours of sunlight) is 24 hours.

This phenomenon demonstrates that the difference between the longest day and the shortest day increases as latitude increases.

Thus, Statement 2 is correct.

Statement 3: Indira Point is located approximately at 6°45' N latitude.

This statement is true. Indira Point is the southernmost geographical point of India (excluding the mainland), located in the Great Nicobar Island of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Its location is approximately at \(\text{6°45'}\) North latitude.

The southernmost point of the Indian mainland is Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, located at approximately \(\text{8°4'}\) North latitude. Since Indira Point is further south in the islands, its latitude is lower (closer to the Equator) than the mainland's southernmost tip.

Thus, Statement 3 is correct.

Conclusion on Latitude Statements

Based on the analysis of all three statements:

  • Statement 1 is true.
  • Statement 2 is true.
  • Statement 3 is true.

Therefore, all three statements related to latitude are true.

The correct answer is the option that includes statements 1, 2, and 3.

Statement Assessment
1. Rainfall, temperature and vegetation vary with latitude. True
2. The difference between the longest day and the shortest day increases with latitude. True
3. Indira Point is located approximately at 6°45' N latitude. True

Revision Table: Key Latitude Concepts

Concept Relation to Latitude
Temperature Decreases with increasing latitude
Day Length Variation (Longest vs. Shortest Day) Increases with increasing latitude
Climate Zones (e.g., Tropical, Temperate, Polar) Defined by latitude belts
Solar Angle More direct at lower latitudes, less direct at higher latitudes

Additional Information: Latitude and Earth's Systems

Latitude plays a fundamental role in various Earth systems. It is the primary factor determining the amount of solar radiation received at the surface, which drives global temperature patterns, atmospheric circulation, and ultimately, climate zones. These climate zones, characterized by specific temperature and precipitation ranges, support different types of ecosystems and vegetation.

The concept of latitude is also crucial for navigation, cartography, and understanding the geographical location of places like Indira Point. The measurement of latitude involves determining the angle of a location north or south of the Equator, measured in degrees (\(\text{°}\)), minutes (\(\text{'}\)), and seconds (\(\text{"}\)).

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. Where are Jhumri Telaiya situated?

  2. List-I (Pass)                          List-II (Place)

    A. Zoji La                               1. Himachal Pradesh

    B. Shipki La                           2. Uttarakhand

    C. Lipulekh                            3. Jammu and Kashmir

    D. Nathu La                           4. Sikkim
  3. If the latitude and longitudinal extent of an Indian State/UT are 15°48'00" N to 14°53'15" N and 74°20'13" E to 74°40'33" E, then which one of the following is that State/ UT?

  4. Pir Panjal Range in the Himalayas is a part of:

  5. Which one of the following islands is of volcanic origin?

  6. Arrange the following popular hill stations of India in terms of their height (from highest to the lowest) from the mean sea level:

    1. Mussoorie

    2. Shimla

    3. Ooty

    4. Darjeeling

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
  7. Which one among the following Union Territories of India is the smallest in geographical area?

  8. Consider the following clues about a State of India :

    1. It is known as land of red river and blue hills’.

    2. It contains three of the six physiographic divisions of India.

    3. It covers about 2.39 percent of total areas of the country.

    Identify the State on the basis of the given clues.

  9. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:

    List – I

    (Peak)

    List II

    (Name of Hill)

    A.

    Anaimudi

      1.

    Nilgiri

      B.

    Doddabetta

      2.

    Satpura

      C.

    Dhupgarh

      3.

    Aravali

      D.

    Guru Shikhar

      4.

    Annamalai

  10. Manav is Planning to visit all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Delhi. He will be visiting


Important Questions from Location(s)

  1. Which of the following latitudes passes through India?

  2. Which of the following are the oldest folded mountain in India?

  3. Which of the following regions of India is known as a cold desert?

  4. The pass connecting the rest of India with Kashmir is

  5. Which landform is formed due to wind deposit ?

Need Expert Advice?
Test Series
CDS img
Defence
UPSC CDS 2026 Mock Test Series
536 Tests 4 Tests Free
1647 Attempts
4.3(174)
English, Hindi
More Questions from CDS

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App