Lines from east to west across a map or globe are called ______.

Lines from east to west across a map or globe are called ______.

• A. Meridians
• B. Parallels
• C. Latitudes
• D. Longitudes

Answer: (B)

Lines that circle the globe from east to west run parallel to the equator. These are called parallels. Each parallel represents a constant latitude—the distance north or south of the equator. They form a set of circles around the Earth that never meet. In contrast, lines that run north to south are meridians (longitudes) and they converge at the poles. So the lines described are parallels.

Lines that circle the globe from east to west run parallel to the equator. These are called parallels. Each parallel represents a constant latitude—the distance north or south of the equator. They form a set of circles around the Earth that never meet. In contrast, lines that run north to south are meridians (longitudes) and they converge at the poles. So the lines described are parallels.