Helps to be near the equator for two reasons:
1) the earth's rotation is added to your speed, so it takes less energy to get to orbital velocity. Further away from the equator, the less you're moving in the same direction as earth.
2) geosynchronous orbit is a very popular destination and requires the satellite to be at a very specific height directly over the equator. Starting at the equator makes this a whole lot easier.
Neither of those apply to polar orbits. Going south is just as easy no matter where you are.
Neither of those apply to polar orbits. Going south is just as easy no matter where you are.