The equator and all lines of longitude are called great circles because the represent the circumference of the earth. The other latitude lines along the globe are smaller then the actually circumference.
A 'great circle' is any circle on the surface of a sphere that has its center at the center of the sphere. The equator is the only parallel of latitude that's a great circle. Every meridian of constant longitude is a semi-circle, and together with the one directly opposite it, they form a great circle. The shortest distance between two points on a sphere is the piece of the great circle through them.
Because they make big circles around the Earth.
They're not. A "great circle" is a circle drawn on a sphere that has its center at the center of the sphere. -- The only line of latitude that's a great circle is the equator. None of the others are. -- Each meridian of longitude is 1/2 of a great circle. In order to form a complete great circle, you have to glue it together with the other meridian of longitude that's directly opposite it on the other side of the globe. Like the Prime Meridian and 180° longitude, or 34° east longitude and 146° west longitude.
Meridians converge at the poles and intersect the equator at 90 degrees. They are all great circle lines called lines of longitude. The equator is a line of latitude and the only line of latitude that is a great circle line. As you move away from the equator the lines of latitude describe smaller and smaller circles round the planet as you approach the poles.
All parallels of latitude, except for the Equator, are not great circles. Great circles are the largest circles that can be drawn on a sphere and pass through its center, whereas small circles do not pass through the center of the sphere.
Great circles.
Any meridian, paired with the meridian exactly 180 degrees different in longitude,comprise a great circle.If the two meridians are not exactly 180 degrees apart in longitude, then they'renot in the same plane, and they don't form a circle at all.No two meridians of longitude can combine to form a small circle.All parallels of latitude, except the equator, are small circles. The equator is the onlygreat one.
The reason they call the equator the great circle is because circles the whole earth in the middle.becase its the only line that runs in the centre of the earth and goes right arround . {nickstar}
The plane that cuts the Earth's surface and passes through its center is called the "great circle." A great circle divides the Earth into two equal hemispheres and represents the shortest path between two points on the surface. The equator and all lines of longitude are examples of great circles. These circles are crucial in navigation and geography for determining distances and directions.
Only one line of latitude is a great circle ... the equator. Meridians of longitude are semi-great-circle, but we hardly ever use that term for longitude lines. "Great Circle" is a misnomer. It is actually the shortest straight line between two points on the surface of the spherical Earth. However, when plotted on a flat paper map (which is subject to considerable distortion) the path looks curved. But it's the MAP that is distorted; the path is straight.
The equator is the only parallel of latitude that's a great circle.In fact, it's the only locus of any constant coordinate that's a great circle,since the meridians of longitude are all semi-circles.
Because any 'Great Circle' is the shortest distance across a sphere. Where the Earth is concerned , all the meridians and the Equator are Great Circles. The Plane of a 'Great Circles ' 'cut' the sphere into two equally sized hemispheres. NB Other than the Equator all the latitudes are NOT great Circles.