Lines Of Longitude Are Also Called. Lines of latitude are called parallels because the lines parallel, or run in the same direction as the equator. Meridian comes from a latin word that means midday.
The vertical lines of longitude are also known as meridians.
Meridians are also called longitude because they are the same word and they have the same meaning they just came up with another word for longitude. Maps are often marked with parallels and meridians, creating a grid. The lines are called meridians of longitude and they are also measured in degrees (°) and minutes ('). Lines of longitude intersect the equator at right angles but end at the north and the lines of longitude are also called meridians.