The correct option is (c).
Explanation
Latitudes are angular distances measured from the center of the Earth, determining the position of a place North or South of the Equator. The imaginary lines connecting points of the same latitude are known as parallels of latitude.Statement 1 is Correct: Unlike longitudes, which converge at the poles, parallels of latitude remain equidistant from one another throughout. The linear distance corresponding to one degree of latitude is approximately 111 km. Although the Earth's geoid shape causes very minor variations near the poles, the distance is functionally constant.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The size of the latitudinal circles is not constant. The Equator (0°) is the largest circle (Great Circle). As one moves away from the Equator towards the poles, the circumference of these circles decreases progressively until they become mere points at the North and South Poles (90°).
Statement 3 is Correct: Latitude is fundamentally an angular measurement relative to the equatorial plane. Therefore, the distance between parallels is expressed in degrees (°), with subdivisions in minutes (') and seconds (").
Key Takeaway: Parallels of latitude are equidistant lines whose circular length decreases poleward, whereas meridians of longitude are equal in length but converge at the poles.