Question 7 [Fill in the blanks] - MCQ Questions (1 Mark) - Chapter 2 Class 6 Geography - Latitudes and Longitudes - Geography

The distance between the longitudes decreases towards___________.

A. The equator

B. The tropics 

C. The poles

D. The prime meridian

Answer:

Answer by Student

The correct answer is (C) The poles .

Detailed Explanation by Teachoo

Let’s check all the options and see why they are correct or incorrect:

• Option (A) The equator - The equator is an imaginary line that divides the earth horizontally into two equal halves. The distance between longitudes is the largest at the equator, about 111 kilometers (69 miles) for one degree of longitude. So, this option is incorrect .
• Option (B) The tropics - The tropics are the regions of the earth that lie between the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S). The distance between longitudes is slightly smaller than at the equator, but still large, about 109 kilometers (68 miles) for one degree of longitude. So, this option is incorrect .
• Option (C) The poles - The poles are the points on the earth’s surface where the axis of rotation meets the surface. They are located at 90° N and 90° S latitude. The distance between longitudes reduces as they move towards the poles. At the poles, the distance between longitudes is zero, as all the meridians meet at a single point. So, this option is correct .
• Option (D) The prime meridian - The prime meridian is an imaginary line that divides the earth vertically into two equal halves. It passes through Greenwich, London and has a longitude of 0°. The distance between longitudes does not depend on the prime meridian, but on the latitude. So, this option is incorrect .

Thus, option (C) is correct .