What is the North-South component of a traverse course known as in surveying?

In surveying, the North-South component of a traverse course is known as latitude. Latitude refers to the geographic coordinate that specifies the north-south position of a point on the Earth's surface. It provides a way to measure a location relative to the equator, which is designated as 0 degrees latitude, with values increasing as one moves toward the poles.

This concept is essential in surveying and mapping as it determines how far north or south a specific location is from the equator. Latitude is expressed in degrees, minutes, and seconds, allowing for precise positioning on maps and in geographical data.

Longitude, on the other hand, refers to the East-West component and is measured relative to the Prime Meridian. Elevation denotes the height of a point above sea level, and altitude typically refers to the height of an object above the ground or Earth's surface. Thus, these terms describe different aspects of location and measurement, making latitude the correct answer for the North-South component in this context.