Learn about the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. Discover how they got their names, their latitude values, and other fun facts.

Latitudes and Longitudes are angular measurements that give a location on the earth’s surface a unique geographical identification.

The tropic of capricorn and the tropic of cancer are both lines that run horizontally along the earth, parallel to the equator. They are used to help measure distance on earth. They are also parallel latitudes indicating global positions. The sun is only directly overhead on the tropics on a solstice. The tropic of cancer is on the top of the equator, you can remember its on top because CAN comes before CAP alphabetically.

The Tropic of Capricorn passes through 10 countries and one overseas territory. Tropic of Capricorn is an imaginary line which indicates the southernmost point where the sun is directly overhead at noon

Tropic of Cancer is currently positioned at 23.4 degrees north of the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn is at approximately 23.4. Check Out details on Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn.

Namibia, Tropic of Capricorn sign

The Tropic of Capricorn, also called the Southern Tropic, is an imaginary line (a latitude circle) which indicates the southernmost point where the Sun is directly overhead at noon. This occurs during the solstice on December 21.

The Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn are latitudes to the north and south of the Equator. Latitude is an invisible line that runs around the outside of the Earth in a ring.

MILLER, Henry. Tropic of Capricorn. Paris: Obelisk Press, [1939].