Altitude vs. Latitude

By Jaxson

Main Difference

The main difference between Altitude and Latitude is that the Altitude is a height in relation to a certain reference point; (general) distance measurement, usually in the vertical or “up” direction, between a reference datum and a point or object. The reference datum also often varies according to the context and Latitude is a the angle between zenith and a plane parallel to the equator.

  • Altitude

    Altitude or height (sometimes known as ‘depth’) is defined based on the context in which it is used (aviation, geometry, geographical survey, sport, atmospheric pressure, and many more). As a general definition, altitude is a distance measurement, usually in the vertical or “up” direction, between a reference datum and a point or object. The reference datum also often varies according to the context. Although the term altitude is commonly used to mean the height above sea level of a location, in geography the term elevation is often preferred for this usage.

    Vertical distance measurements in the “down” direction are commonly referred to as depth.

  • Latitude

    In geography, latitude is a geographic coordinate that specifies the north–south position of a point on the Earth’s surface. Latitude is an angle (defined below) which ranges from 0° at the Equator to 90° (North or South) at the poles. Lines of constant latitude, or parallels, run east–west as circles parallel to the equator. Latitude is used together with longitude to specify the precise location of features on the surface of the Earth. On its own, the term latitude should be taken to be the geodetic latitude as defined below. Briefly, geodetic latitude at a point is the angle formed by the vector perpendicular (or normal) to the ellipsoidal surface from that point, and the equatorial plane. Also defined are six auxiliary latitudes which are used in special applications.

Wikipedia
  • Altitude (noun)

    The absolute height of a location, usually measured from sea level.

    “As the altitude increases, the temperature gets lower, so remember to bring warm clothes to the mountains.”

  • Altitude (noun)

    A vertical distance.

  • Altitude (noun)

    The distance measured perpendicularly from a figure’s vertex to the opposite side of the vertex.

    “The perpendicular height of a triangle is known as its altitude.”

  • Altitude (noun)

    The angular distance of a heavenly body above our Earth’s horizon.

  • Altitude (noun)

    Height of rank or excellence; superiority.

  • Altitude (noun)

    Elevation of spirits; heroics; haughty airs.

  • Altitude (noun)

    Highest point or degree.

  • Latitude (noun)

    The angular distance north or south from a planet’s equator, measured along the meridian of that particular point.

  • Latitude (noun)

    An imaginary line (in fact a circumference) around a planet running parallel to the planet’s equator.

  • Latitude (noun)

    The relative freedom from restrictions; scope to do something.

    “His parents gave him a great deal of latitude.”

  • Latitude (noun)

    The angular distance of a heavenly body from the ecliptic.

  • Latitude (noun)

    The extent to which a light-sensitive material can be over- or underexposed and still achieve an acceptable result.

  • Latitude (noun)

    Extent or scope; e.g. breadth, width or amplitude.

Wiktionary
  • Latitude (noun)

    the angular distance of a place north or south of the earth’s equator, or of the equator of a celestial object, usually expressed in degrees and minutes

    “lines of latitude”

    “at a latitude of 51° N”

  • Latitude (noun)

    regions, especially with reference to their temperature and distance from the equator

    “temperate latitudes”

    “northern latitudes”

  • Latitude (noun)

    scope for freedom of action or thought

    “journalists have considerable latitude in criticizing public figures”

  • Latitude (noun)

    the range of exposures for which an emulsion or printing paper will give acceptable contrast

    “a film with a latitude which is outstanding”

Oxford Dictionary

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