Which Countries Fall in the Tropic of Cancer?
Moving east of the Prime Meridian, the Tropic of Cancer passes through the following Countries:
- Algeria
- Niger
- Libya
- Egypt
- Saudi Arabia
- UAE (Abu Dhabi)
- Oman
- India
- Bangladesh
- Myanmar
- China
- Taiwan
- Mexico
- Bahamas
- Western Sahara (area claimed by Morocco; Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic)
- Mauritania
- Mali
The Tropic of Cancer passes through the following Oceans and Seas:
- Red Sea
- Indian Ocean
- Taiwan Strait
- Pacific Ocean
- Philippine Sea
- Gulf of California
- Gulf of Mexico
- Atlantic Ocean
Tropic of Cancer
The Equator is the imaginary line of reference that divides the Earth into two equal halves. Since the Earth tilts on its axis, the reference line that marks the furthest point north of the Equator, where the Sun is positioned directly above at local noon, is referred to as the Tropic of Cancer.
Since the Earth revolves around the Sun, this occurs at the summer solstice on or near the 21st of June. During this period, solar insolation is at its peak, and areas on or near the Tropic of Cancer remain very warm since it receives the maximum solar energy. Consequently, the areas above the Arctic latitude feature 24 hours of daylight.
During the same period, the reverse is applicable in the southern hemisphere. The areas below the Antarctic circle are engulfed in darkness for 24 hours.
The exact position of the Tropic of Cancer on the map is located at 23.5 degrees north latitude. The location of the Tropic of Cancer remains flexible. It shifts southwards at an approximate rate of half an arcsecond of latitude per year. The current position is at 23°26’14”.
The region that lies between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer in the north and the Tropic of Capricorn in the south is commonly referred to as “The Tropics”.
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