47th parallel north facts for kids
The 47th parallel north is like an imaginary line that goes all the way around the Earth. Think of it as a giant circle drawn 47 degrees north of the equator. The equator is another imaginary line that circles the middle of our planet.
This special line crosses many different places! It goes through parts of Europe, Asia, the huge Pacific Ocean, North America, and the Atlantic Ocean.
If you were standing on the 47th parallel north, you'd notice something cool about the sun. During the longest day of summer (the summer solstice), the sun stays out for almost 16 hours! But in the middle of winter (the winter solstice), the sun is only visible for about 8 and a half hours.
What is the 47th Parallel North?
The 47th parallel north is a specific circle of latitude. A circle of latitude is an imaginary line that runs around the Earth, parallel to the equator. These lines help us figure out locations on the globe, like a giant grid. The number "47" tells us how far north this line is from the equator, measured in degrees.
Where Does the 47th Parallel Go?
This imaginary line travels across many different continents and oceans.
- In Europe, it passes through countries like France, Switzerland, Austria, and Ukraine.
- Moving into Asia, it crosses places like Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and China.
- It then stretches across the vast Pacific Ocean.
- In North America, it goes through parts of the United States, including states like Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. It also touches parts of Canada.
- Finally, it crosses the Atlantic Ocean before returning to Europe.
Sun and Seasons on the Parallel
The amount of daylight you get changes throughout the year, depending on where you are on Earth. On the 47th parallel north:
- During the summer solstice (around June 21st), the sun is visible for about 15 hours and 54 minutes. This is the longest day of the year.
- During the winter solstice (around December 21st), the sun is visible for about 8 hours and 31 minutes. This is the shortest day of the year.
These changes happen because the Earth is tilted on its axis as it orbits the sun.
