What are meridians commonly known as?

Meridians are commonly known as lines of longitude. These lines measure the distance east or west of the Prime Meridian, which is designated as 0 degrees longitude. Meridians run from the North Pole to the South Pole and are used to determine geographic coordinates on the Earth's surface.

Longitude is essential for navigation and mapping, allowing for a precise location to be identified in conjunction with lines of latitude, which measure the distance north or south of the Equator. Understanding meridians is crucial for various applications, including global positioning systems (GPS), cartography, and international timekeeping.

The other options refer to different geographic concepts, but none accurately describe meridians as lines of longitude do. Lines of latitude, on the other hand, run parallel to the Equator and measure north-south distances. Imaginary circles and geographic axes are broader terms that do not specifically capture the nature or purpose of meridians.