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{{longlat}}

{{longlat}}

'''Latitude''', usually denoted symbolically by the Greek letter [[phi (letter)|phi]], <math>\phi\,\!</math>, gives the location of a place on [[Earth]] north or south of the [[Equator]]. Latitude is an [[angle|angular measurement]] in [[degree (angle)|degrees]] (marked with °) ranging from 0° at the Equator to 90° at the poles (90° N for the [[North Pole]] or 90° S for the [[South Pole]]). The [[complementary angles|complementary angle]] of a latitude is called the '''colatitude'''.

'''Latitude''', usually denoted symbolically by the Greek letter [[phi (letter)|phi]], <math>\phi\,\!</math>, gives the location of a place on [[Earth]] north or south of the [[Equator]]. Latitude is an [[angle|angular measurement]] in [[degree (angle)|degrees]] (marked with °) ranging from 0° at the Equator to 90° at the poles (90° N for the [[North Pole]] or 90° S for the [[South Pole]]). The [[complementary angles|complementary angle]] of a latitude is called the '''colatitude'''.

There have been a number of explanations for this phenomenon.  The first to describe and try to assess it was the [[France|French]] [[philosophe]] [[Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu|Montesquieu]] who proposed that cold weather means less blood in the extremities, which makes the flesh less elastic; this gives northerners more strength and makes them less able to relax.  This forcing of the blood inward, according to Montesquieu also means more flows through the heart, increasing vitality.  These findings have been wholly discredited by modern science.

There have been a number of explanations for this phenomenon.  The first to describe and try to assess it was the [[France|French]] [[philosophe]] [[Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu|Montesquieu]] who proposed that cold weather means less blood in the extremities, which makes the flesh less elastic; this gives northerners more strength and makes them less able to relax.  This forcing of the blood inward, according to Montesquieu also means more flows through the heart, increasing vitality.  These findings have been wholly discredited by modern science.

There are also exceptions, for example, Russia is less well off than United States, or even Australia; the latter country is wealthier than Southern Europe. Also, within Russia, Moscow and especially St. Petersburg are wealthier than, for example, Siberia. Similarly, Germany's poorest regions are situated in the North East, and in general, the south of the [[UK]] is wealthier than the north.

There are also exceptions, for example, Russia is less well off than United States, or even Australia; the latter country is wealthier than Southern Europe. Also, within Russia, Moscow and especially St. Petersburg are wealthier than, for example, Siberia. Of course, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Brunei,  have astounding concentrations of wealth, thanks to petroleum.  Similarly, Germany's poorest regions are situated in the North East, and in general, the south of the [[UK]] is wealthier than the north.

===Evolutionary explanations===

===Evolutionary explanations===

==Further reading==

==Further reading==

*John P. Snyder ''Map Projections: a working manual'' [http://www.3dsoftware.com/Cartography/USGS/MapProjections/ excerpts]

*John P. Snyder ''Map Projections: a working manual''  

==See also==

==See also==