Wild monkeys, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, Asia, by Laura Grier
The Tropic of Cancer
By Katelin Kukk
Photograph by Laura Grier
Happy Tropics Day! The tropics are the region of Earth that is closest to the equator. Here there are two imaginary lines that circle the globe. One of them includes the latitude known as the Tropic of Cancer. The Tropic of Cancer is the northern latitude with a position of 23º27’N. This line passes through 17 countries, 3 continents, and 6 bodies of water. Its location is not completely fixed due to a slight wobble in the alignment and Earth’s tilt.
Some of the countries that the Tropic of Cancer runs through include the Bahamas, Mexico, Egypt, Libya, Taiwan, China, and India. These countries are generally hot and humid, but they all vary in biodiversity and climate due to a variety of factors. This boundary is also the northernmost latitude where the sun can ever be directly overhead. At its peak, this occurrence is also known as the June solstice.
On that note, celebrate Tropics Day by booking a destination vacation in the tropics or by donating to organizations that help protect and conserve the land within that area. Visiting countries within the Tropic of Cancer will open you up to a whole new world of different cultures and life!
