Latitude is a geographic coordinate specifying the north-south position of a point on the Earth's surface, measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds from 0° at the Equator to 90° at the poles. Parallels of latitude run east-west,, and 1 minute of latitude equals 1 nautical mile, crucial for distance calculation.

Key Details About Latitude in Sailing:
Measurement: Latitude measures distance north or south of the Equator (0°), running up to 90° North (North Pole) or 90° South (South Pole).

Navigation: Used with longitude to determine a vessel's exact position on nautical charts.

Distance Calculation: Because lines of latitude are nearly parallel, they are used to measure distance, where 1 minute (1/60 of a degree) of latitude equals 1 nautical mile (approx.1.85 km or 1.15 land miles).

Parallels: Latitude lines are often called "parallels" because they never converge, unlike lines of longitude.

Usage: Sailors use latitude to plan courses, specifically observing the Sun or stars at noon to determine their position at sea.