The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
Meridians of Longitude are imaginary semi-circular lines running vertically from the North Pole to the South Pole. They are essential for determining the east-west position of a point on the Earth's surface.
- Statement 1 is correct: All meridians converge and meet at the North and South Poles. Unlike parallels of latitude, which never intersect, meridians originate at one pole and terminate at the other.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: Meridians are not parallel to each other. The distance between two meridians is maximum at the Equator (approximately 111 km) and progressively decreases as one moves towards the poles, eventually becoming zero where they meet.
- Statement 3 is correct: All meridians are of equal length. Since every meridian is a semi-circle connecting the two poles, their lengths are identical. This contrasts with parallels of latitude, where the length of the circles decreases from the Equator towards the poles.
Key Takeaway: Meridians are semi-circles of equal length that converge at the poles, whereas parallels of latitude are parallel circles of varying lengths.