How is the equator different from the rest of the parallels?

The equator differs from other geographic latitudes in that it divides the globe into two parts. It is the Equator that divides the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Similarly, all other latitudes are shorter than the Equator, as the diameter of the globe narrows to the north and south. The equator has zero latitude and all other latitudes in both hemispheres are counted from it. Two countries, Equatorial Guinea in Africa and Ecuador in South America, through which the Equator passes, take their name from it.