Major Circles Of Latitude

Lines of latitude are imaginary east - west circles which connect the earth's locations. A locational position can then be determined along with the line of latitude's opposite counterpart, a line of longtitude.

Lines of latitude - also known as parallels because they run parallel to one another - are the horizontal lines on a map and as the earth is spherical they appear with varying curvature and radii.

Lines of latitude begin at 0 degrees at the point of the Equator and rise or fall at intervals of 15 degrees or every 69 miles / 111 kilometers, to their respective poles (which are situated at 90 or - 90 degrees) which is where both the North Pole (+) and South Pole (-) are located.

There are five major circles of latitude which correspond with the axial tilt of the earth. Currently the earth's axis is set at 23.44 degrees, but this is not constant as the earth's axis shifts by between plus and minus 0.005 degrees. The earth's orbital plane, known as the Obliquity of the Ecliptic, causes the orbital axial tilt to spin 360 degrees around the Sun. One complete orbit - which travels in a counter clockwise direction - equals one year and defines the planet's seasons.

THE EQUATOR

The Equatorial Line is situated at 0 degrees, at the earth's widest point, which measures 40,066 kilometers.

The Equator divides the earth into it's Northern and Southern Hemispheres and defines each hemisphere's season, which are exact opposites to each other. Other opposites which occur due to the north / south divide are large horizontal flows of air (hurricanes) which flow clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and anti - clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. The southern sun is seen passing from west to east or a right to left trajectory in the skies of the Northern Hemisphere and passes from east to west or on a left to right trajectory in the skies of the Southern Hemisphere. Falling projectiles veer in opposite directions on different hemispheres too, with a slight veer to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and a slight veer to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. Water draining through any type of drainage hole, such as a plug hole in a sink, also travel in opposite directions dependent upon which hemisphere they happen to be on.

The areas of the world which lie along the line of the Equator are synonomous for having the quickest rate of sunset and sunrise in the world, have a constant year round 12 hour day / 12 hour night and have little distinction between their seasons, other than being wet or dry.

Countries situated along the Equator are;

Brazil - Colombia - democratic Republic of Congo - Ecuador - Gabon - Indonesia - Kenya - Sao Tome & Principe - Somalia - Uganda. Despite it's name, no part of Equatorial Guinea lies along the line of the Equator.

Capital cities which are situated nearest to the Equatorial line are;

Quito in Ecudor (24 km north).

Libreville in Gabon (25 km south).

Kampala in Uganda (32 km south).

THE ARCTIC CIRCLE

The Arctic Circle is situated at 66 degrees North of the Equator.

The line of the Arctic Circle measures 39,992 kms. The area south of this line marks the Northern Temperate Zone and the area above is synonomous with Polar Day or The Midnight Sun, a 24 hour period of daylight during the time of the June Solstice, and Polar Night - a 24 hour period of darkness during the time of the December Solstice.

The climate above the Arctic Circle is characterised by frigid Winters and cold Summers, although due to global warming temperatures are rising significantly resulting in polar shrinkage. The North Pole, an area where the earth's axis of rotation intersects with it's surface, is situated at 90 degrees North.

Countries / Territories situated along or above the Arctic Circle line are ; Canada - Finland - Greenland - Iceland - Norway - Sweden - Russian Federation - Alaska, USA.

THE ANTARCTIC CIRCLE

The Antarctic Circle is situated at 66 degrees south of the Equator.

The line of the Antarctic Circle measures 39,992 kms. The area above this line marks the earth's Southern Temperate Zone and the area below is synonomous with periods of 24 hours of daylight during the time of the December Solstice and a 24 hour period of darkness during the time of the June Solstice.

The climate below the Antarctic Circle is characterised by year round frigid temperatures. Air pollution in this area of the world is low, giving rise to clear, clean, cold air. The continent of Antarctica is also the world's coldest, driest and windiest location. The South Pole, an area where the earth's axis of rotation intersects with it's surface, is situated at 90 degrees South.

Only the continent of Antarctica is situated along and below the Antarctic Circle line.

THE TROPICS

THE TROPIC OF CANCER

The Tropic of Cancer is situated at 23 degrees north of the Equator, although this is not a fixed position, with the line drifting southwards at half a second of latitude or 15 meters a year.

The Tropic of Cancer is dictated by the earth's axis of rotation relative to it's place of orbit. The area along this line marks the most northerly latitude in which the sun can be directly above the earth. This happens during the June, Summer Solstice, when the earth is tilted towards the sun at it's maximum extent. Areas situated between this line and it's southern counterpart, the Tropic of Capricorn, are known as the Tropics or the Torrid Zone, countries where all twelve months of the year have a mean temperature exceeding 18 degrees and their seasons are defined by a wet or dry season, rather than by Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter.

Countries / territories situated along the Tropic of Cancer line are; Algeria - Bahamas - Bangladesh - China - Egypt - India - Libya - Mali - Mauritania - Mexico - Myanmar - Niger - Oman - Saudi Arabia - Taiwan - United Arab Emirates.

Capital cities situated nearest to the Tropic of Cancer line are Muscat in Oman and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

THE TROPIC OF CAPRICORN

The Tropic of Capricorn is situated at 23 degrees south of the Equator, although this is not a fixed position, with the line drifting northwards at a rate of half a second of latitude or 15 meters a year.

The Tropic of Capricorn is dictated by the earth's axis of rotation relative to it's place of orbit. The area along this line marks the most southerly latitude in which the sun can be directly above the earth.This happens during the December Solstice when the earth is tilted towards the sun at it's maximum extent. Areas situated between this line and it's northern counterpart, the Tropic of Cancer, are known as the Tropics or Torrid Zone, countries where all twelve months of the year have a mean temperature exceeeding 18 degrees and their seasons are defined by a wet or dry season, rather than Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

Countries situated along the Tropic of Capricorn line are; Argentina - Australia - Botswana - Brazil - Chile - Madagascar - Mozambique - Namibia - Paraguay - South Africa.

The only capital city situated nearest to the Tropic of Cancer line is Windhoek in Namibia.

HOURS OF DAYLIGHT DURING THE JUNE SOLSTICE

When the world's annual solstices and equinoxes occur -

Northern Hemisphere's Spring Equinox - March 20 - Southern Hemisphere's Autumnal Equinox

Northern Hemisphere's Summer Solstice - June 21 - Southern Hemisphere's Winter Solstice

Northern Hemisphere's Autumnal Equinox - September 23 - Southern Hemisphere's Spring Equinox

Northern Hemisphere's Winter Solstice - December 21 - Southern Hemisphere's Summer Solstice

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