The term for the distance from the equator to the poles is latitude. Latitude is measured in degrees, with the equator at 0° and the poles at 90° North and 90° South. This geographic coordinate system helps to determine a location's position on the Earth's surface. Lines of latitude run parallel to the equator and are used in navigation, mapping, and understanding climate zones. Latitude influences various environmental factors, including temperature and vegetation, with equatorial regions experiencing warm climates and polar regions facing extreme cold. As such, latitude plays a crucial role in Earth's ecological diversity.