Latitude and Longitude Lines

Key Facts about the Tropic of Capricorn:

• It is the southernmost latitude where the Sun can appear directly overhead.

• Occurs on the December Solstice (around December 21), marking the beginning of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

• It defines the southern boundary of the Torrid Zone (Tropical Zone).

Key Facts about the Prime Meridian:

• It is the starting point for measuring longitude, running from the North Pole to the South Pole.

• Passes through Greenwich, England, and is also called the Greenwich Meridian.

• Divides the Earth into the Eastern Hemisphere and the Western Hemisphere.

• Time at the Prime Meridian is called Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or UTC+0.

This second-largest continent is located in the Southern, Northern, Eastern, and Western Hemispheres.

The three parallels of latitude, namely the Tropic of Cancer, the Equator, and the Tropic of Capricorn, pass through this continent.

This happens twice a year:

1. Vernal (Spring) Equinox – around March 21

2. Autumnal (Fall) Equinox – around September 23

On these days:

• Day and night are approximately equal in length all over the world.

• The Sun's rays fall directly on the equator.

The whole Earth experiences equal days and equal nights on the following dates each year:

Equinox Dates

1. March 21 – Vernal (Spring) Equinox

2. September 23 – Autumnal (Fall) Equinox

What Happens on These Dates?

• The Sun is directly above the equator.

• Day and night are nearly equal in duration (about 12 hours each) all over the world.

• These dates mark the changing of seasons:

  • Spring begins in the Northern Hemisphere in March

  • Autumn begins in the Northern Hemisphere in September

Key Points about Winter Solstice

• It is the shortest day and longest night of the year.

• The Sun is vertically overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn (23½° South).

• Marks the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

• After this date, days begin to get longer and nights shorter.

The whole Earth experiences equal days and equal nights on the following dates each year:

Equinox Dates

1. March 21 – Vernal (Spring) Equinox

2. September 23 – Autumnal (Fall) Equinox

Key Point

• On these days, the Sun is directly overhead at the Equator at solar noon.

• Day and night are approximately equal in length all over the Earth.