From what latitude can you only travel south, and from what latitudes can you only travel north?
This question is probably extremely easy and I'm just over thinking it.
Some explanations would be nice as well since I would like to understand this!
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1If you are standing on the North or South Poles, in which direction can you travel and in which can you not?– John PowellJan 24, 2015 at 20:22
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ducksters.com/geography/north_pole.php– PolyGeo ♦Jan 24, 2015 at 21:29
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2I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because geography trivia does not pertain to geographic information systems.– VinceJan 25, 2015 at 16:24
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Welcome, @Heather, to GIS SE.– Martin FJan 25, 2015 at 19:31
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@vince, et al -- Just because it is a trivial problem for a geographer/geodesist to solve doesn't disqualify it from helping beginners understand the globe and directions. The OP is asking for help in understanding and that is good.– Martin FJan 25, 2015 at 19:32
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1 Answer
At the north pole, any "straight line" path from that point is automatically going due south, until you change direction.
Likewise, at the south pole, any direct route away is going due north.
All "straight lines" (better known as great circles or geodesics), passing through the poles, are known as meridians (or lines of constant longitude) and are always exactly N-S in orientation.
