The correct option is
2 only
Explanation
The Earth is not a perfect sphere but an oblate spheroid (geoid), meaning it is slightly flattened at the poles and bulges at the equator. This shape influences the linear distance represented by degrees of latitude and longitude on the Earth's surface.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. Lines of latitude are parallel to each other. On a perfect sphere, the distance between two consecutive latitudes would remain constant everywhere. However, due to the Earth's oblate spheroid shape, the surface is slightly flatter at the poles. Consequently, the linear distance of one degree of latitude is slightly greater at the poles (approx. 111.7 km) than at the equator (approx. 110.6 km). The statement incorrectly suggests the distance increases towards the equator.
- Statement 2 is Correct. Lines of longitude (meridians) are not parallel; they converge at the poles and are widest apart at the equator. The distance between two longitudes is maximum at the equator (approx. 111.3 km) and progressively decreases as one moves towards the poles, eventually becoming zero at the North and South Poles.
Key Takeaway:
While the distance between latitudes remains roughly constant (increasing slightly towards the poles due to Earth's shape), the distance between longitudes decreases significantly from the equator to the poles due to the convergence of meridians.