How many minutes of latitude does 1 NM equal?

One nautical mile (NM) is defined as being equal to one minute of latitude. This is based on the Earth's geometry, where there are 60 minutes in a degree of latitude. Since one nautical mile is essentially designed to correspond directly to the distance represented by one minute of latitude, this creates a straightforward relationship that is very useful for navigation.

This relationship is predominantly used in aviation and marine navigation because it simplifies calculations. For example, when pilots and mariners look at charts that are marked in nautical miles, they can quickly determine their position in terms of latitude, as each minute on the chart corresponds to one NM. This is crucial for maintaining accurate navigation and situational awareness while traversing large distances, whether over water or through the air.

In contexts involving latitude, this direct equivalence allows for an easy understanding of distances when navigating along lines of latitude, making option A the correct answer.