Tropic of Cancer facts for kids
The Tropic of Cancer is an important imaginary line that goes around the Earth. It's one of five main "circles of latitude" that you often see on maps. This special line is located about 23.5 degrees north of the Equator.
One cool thing about the Tropic of Cancer is that during the June Solstice (around June 21st each year), the Sun shines directly overhead at noon along this line. This never happens anywhere north of the Tropic of Cancer!
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What is the Tropic of Cancer?
The Tropic of Cancer is a specific parallel of latitude. Think of parallels as imaginary circles that run around the Earth, parallel to the Equator. The Equator is at 0 degrees latitude, and the Tropic of Cancer is at 23° 26' 22" North.
This line marks the northernmost point where the Sun can appear directly overhead. This happens once a year, during the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.
Why is it called the Tropic of Cancer?
The word "cancer" in "Tropic of Cancer" comes from the Latin word for "crab." Long ago, when this line was named, the Sun was in the constellation Cancer (the Crab) during the June Solstice.
Even though the Earth's tilt has changed slightly over thousands of years, and the Sun is now in the constellation Taurus during the June Solstice, the name "Tropic of Cancer" has stuck!
Where is the Tropic of Cancer located?
The Tropic of Cancer passes through many different countries and regions around the world. It crosses parts of North America, Africa, and Asia.
Some of the countries it goes through include Mexico, the Bahamas, Mauritania, Mali, Algeria, Niger, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, and Taiwan.
What is the climate like near the Tropic of Cancer?
Areas near the Tropic of Cancer often have very warm climates. This is because they receive a lot of direct sunlight throughout the year.
Many deserts, like the Sahara Desert in Africa, are located near this line. However, some areas also have tropical forests or other types of landscapes, depending on other factors like mountains or oceans nearby.
How does the Tropic of Cancer affect seasons?
The Tropic of Cancer plays a big role in understanding Earth's Seasons. The Earth is tilted on its axis as it orbits the Sun.
When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, the Sun's most direct rays hit the Tropic of Cancer. This brings summer to the northern parts of the world.
When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, the Sun's direct rays hit the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere. This means it's winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
Related pages
- Northern Hemisphere
- Eastern Hemisphere
- Western Hemisphere
- Seasons
- Solstice and equinox
- Equator
- Tropics
- Tropic of Capricorn
- Southern Hemisphere
- Arctic Circle
- Antarctic Circle
See also
In Spanish: Trópico de Cáncer para niños
