The Tropic of Cancer

The Tropic of Cancer is an imaginary line that circles the Earth at approximately 23.5° North latitude. It marks the northernmost point where the Sun can appear directly overhead at noon during the summer solstice, around June 21. This positioning results from the Earth's axial tilt of about 23.5°, causing the Sun's vertical rays to reach this latitude at the peak of northern summer. The Tropic of Cancer is used in geography to define the boundary of the Earth's tropical zone in the Northern Hemisphere. It passes through countries such as Mexico, India, and Egypt.