Insulation varies significantly by what geographical factor?

Insulation, or incoming solar radiation, varies significantly with latitude due to the curvature of the Earth and its axial tilt. Regions near the equator receive more direct sunlight year-round, resulting in higher insolation levels. As one moves towards the poles, the angle of sunlight decreases, causing rays to spread over a larger surface area and thus reducing the intensity of solar energy received. This difference in insolation is crucial for understanding various climatic and environmental factors, including temperature variations and the types of ecosystems that develop in those areas.

Altitude does affect temperature and weather patterns but its influence on insolation is relatively secondary compared to latitude. Longitude primarily impacts time zones and local solar noon rather than the amount of sunlight received at a location. Topography can influence local climate and shelter from weather patterns but does not fundamentally change the global patterns of insolation as latitude does. Hence, latitude remains the key geographical factor that significantly affects insolation levels across the Earth.