What measurement is defined as a nautical mile?

A nautical mile is defined as a distance that corresponds to one minute of latitude. This measurement is specifically designed for marine navigation and is consistent with the curvature of the Earth. The concept is rooted in the Earth’s geometry, where the equator is divided into 360 degrees, with each degree further divided into 60 minutes. Thus, a nautical mile represents the distance covered by one minute of an arc along a meridian, making it particularly useful for navigation.

This definition also reflects the relationship between latitude and navigation, as nautical miles are directly related to the Earth’s spherical shape. This measurement allows navigators to easily convert latitude differences into distances over the Earth’s surface, which is essential for charting courses and determining positions at sea.