It is generally warmer in California than in Alaska because California is much closer to the equator than is Alaska.
Alaska is closer to the equator than the Prime Meridian
Berlin is farther north, and thus farther from the equator, than any part of the U.S. except Alaska. Therefore, Denver is much closer to the equator than Berlin.
Farther away from equator, closer to pole, higher latitude.
It is closer to the poles considering it is in the Antarctic circle.
Khartoum, Sudan, is closer to the equator than Cairo, Egypt.
South America is closer to the equator.
Laos
The South of Italy is closer to the equator than the North
Arizona is tremendously hotter than Alaska.
Sri Lanka is closer to the equator than China.
Because the sun is closer to the equator than it is to Massachusetts.