What is the relationship of latitude lines to the equator?

The correct answer highlights that latitude lines are indeed parallel to the equator. This fundamental concept in geography is essential for understanding how the Earth is divided into various regions based on latitude. Latitude lines are horizontal lines that measure the distance north or south of the equator, which is designated as 0 degrees latitude. Since they are all drawn parallel to the equator, they maintain a constant distance apart as you move north or south.

Understanding this relationship is crucial for a range of applications, including navigation, climate studies, and understanding global geography. The other statements do not accurately describe the nature of latitude lines: they do not intersect but run parallel to one another, are not perpendicular, and are distinctly different from the equator itself, which is a specific line of latitude serving as the reference point for all other latitude measurements. This clarity in the relationship between latitude lines and the equator sets a foundation for further geographical studies.