What does latitude measure in geography?

Latitude measures the distance north or south of the equator, which is an essential concept in geography. The equator is the primary reference line for latitude, defined at 0 degrees. Latitude is expressed in degrees, with locations north of the equator ranging from 0 to 90 degrees North and locations south ranging from 0 to 90 degrees South. This measurement is crucial for navigation, understanding climate zones, and identifying geographical locations, as it helps to determine how far a point is from the equator, which directly influences temperature and weather patterns.

The other options relate to different geographical concepts: one discusses longitude (the distance east or west of the prime meridian), another refers to topography (elevation above sea level), and the last pertains to area measurement (total land area of a country). Each of these describes various aspects of geography but does not accurately capture what latitude specifically measures.