Reason for the difference in north-south and east-west extent
- Earth's Shape: The Earth is not a perfect sphere but slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator. This shape affects the north-south extent, making it longer than the east-west extent.
- Latitude Lines: The distance between two lines of latitude remains constant, but as we move towards the poles, the lines get closer together. This results in a greater north-south extent compared to the east-west extent.
- Meridians Convergence: The lines of longitude (meridians) converge at the poles, which means they are farthest apart at the equator and gradually come closer together towards the poles. This convergence also contributes to the difference in extent.
- Climate Zones: The Earth's climate zones are aligned north-south due to the tilt of the Earth's axis. This alignment influences the north-south extent as regions within the same climate zone tend to have similar latitudinal extents.
- Human Settlements: Historically, human settlements have developed along latitudinal lines rather than longitudinal lines. This pattern of settlement has further emphasized the importance of the north-south extent.
- Impact on Geography: The difference in north-south and east-west extent has implications for various aspects of geography, such as climate patterns, biodiversity, time zones, and cultural differences across different regions.
In conclusion, the Earth's shape, the convergence of meridians, climate zones, human settlement patterns, and their impact on geography all contribute to the greater north-south extent compared to the east-west extent of 30.