Stand on the Tropic of Cancer, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Add to My List Check Off

The Tropic of Cancer, also referred to as the Northern tropic, is the circle of latitude on the Earth that marks the most northerly position at which the Sun may appear directly overhead at its zenith. This event occurs once per year, at the time of the June solstice, when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun to its maximum extent. The sun appears directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer only once a year, on the June solstice (between June 20 and June 22 each year). The Tropic of Cancer position is not fixed, but varies in a complicated manner over time. It drifts south almost half a second (0.47″) of latitude per year. As of 2014, it lies at 23° 26' 14.675″ (23° 26′ 16″) north of the Equator (it was at exactly 23° 27′ in year 1917). There are two spots easily accessible in Baja California Sur: Along highway MEX-1 (the 1000 mile long 2 lane road connecting Tijuana with Cabo San Lucas) at KM82 between the cities of La Paz and San Jose Del Cabo. Near the city of Todos Santos.

Write a Review

No Ratings Yet

Flag as inappropriate ›