Tropic (Noun)
Meaning
Either of two parallels of latitude about 23.5 degrees to the north and south of the equator representing the points farthest north and south at which the sun can shine directly overhead and constituting the boundaries of the Torrid Zone or tropics.
Classification
Nouns denoting spatial position.
Examples
- The tropic of Cancer is the parallel of latitude that marks the northernmost point on the Earth's surface where the sun can be directly overhead.
- The tropic of Capricorn is the southernmost point on the Earth's surface where the sun can be directly overhead at noon on the winter solstice.
- The tropics are the region of the Earth between the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn, where the sun can be directly overhead at noon at some point during the year.
- The tropic of Cancer passes through eight countries, including Mexico, Egypt, and India, and marks the northern boundary of the tropics.
- The tropical region between the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn is characterized by warm temperatures and high levels of rainfall throughout the year.