This was an important distinction for ancient travelers who used the heavens to guide their way. In an age when our smartphones know where we are at all times, it's hard to imagine how hard getting around used to be. For much of human history, the position of the sun and stars was often all explorers and traders had to navigate by.
The Tropic of Capricorn can be found at latitude The Tropic of Cancer is at The equator is the circle where the sun can be found directly overhead at noon. Circles of latitude are an abstract east and west circle that connects all places on Earth. Latitude and longitude are used as addresses for every part of the globe. On maps latitude lines are horizontal, and longitude lines are vertical.
There is an infinite number of latitude circles on earth. Arcs of latitude are sometimes used to define the boundary between countries that lack distinctive geographic borders like mountain ranges or deserts. There are five major circles of latitude. The circles of latitude also serve to mark the boundaries between the geographical zones. In the United States, this area is more commonly known as the tropics.
This area comprises almost forty percent of the globe. It is projected that by the year , half of the global population will live in this area. When one considers the climate of the tropics it's easy to see why so many people want to live there.
The tropics are known for their lush green vegetation and moist climate. Jan 16, Related questions How do you find the latitude and longitude of a city? Explain how latitude and longitude are used? What is latitude? What is the prime meridian? Is the prime meridian a line of longitude or latitude? A "circle of latitude" refers to the imaginary ring that links all the points on a shared parallel. That latitude of the North Pole? Ninety degrees north. The South Pole? Ninety degrees south.
While you've probably heard of the North and South poles , you may not be as familiar with the other circles of latitude. And while there aren't proper names for all of them, there are five major ones to know: the equator, the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, and the Arctic and Antarctic circles.
The Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer were delineated because they are both places within the hemisphere where it's possible for the sun to be directly overhead. For ancient travelers who used the heavens to guide their way, these were crucial demarcation lines. Located at approximately The tropics account for about 36 percent of Earth, and about a third of the world's population lives in this area that includes the equator and parts of North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia.
During the summer solstice around June 21 , the sun is located immediately overhead the Tropic of Cancer, making it the farthest point north on Earth where the sun is located directly above at noon. When the Tropic of Cancer was first named about 2, years ago , the sun was pointed in the direction of the constellation of Cancer during the June solstice. The name stuck, even though the location of the sun has shifted and now resides in the constellation of Taurus during that time of year.
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