Bob Noel wrote:
Note that rocket launches are to the east (and why they try to launch
them as close to the equator as possible).

I think equatorial launch sites are only advantageous for certain types of
desired orbits.

In any case, this is an area in which the Europeans have the Americans
beat. We launch from Florida, at about 30N, they launch from Kourou,
French Guiana, at about 5N.