Interactive Tropic of Cancer Map
Explore an interactive Tropic of Cancer map near 23.5° north, inspect coordinates and country crossings, and learn how the line relates to the June solstice.
The Tropic of Cancer is the northern latitude limit where the Sun can appear directly overhead at solar noon. It is commonly mapped near 23.5° north; the Sun reaches its northernmost subsolar latitude around the June solstice.
Explore the line
Click the map to inspect the nearest longitude on this reference parallel. The latitude is held at the map’s approximate Tropic of Cancer value.
Tropic of Cancer Map: Reference Details
23.4364° N (approx.)
A documented static cartographic reference; the astronomical line varies.
180° W to 180° E
Select a longitude with the input, slider, shortcuts, or map.
≈ 36,788.4 km
Ellipsoid parallel-length calculation, not a route distance.
OpenStreetMap tiles
Map tiles need an internet connection; attribution appears below the map.
How to Use the Tropic of Cancer
Use this free Tropic of Cancer map to explore longitude, coordinates, and the reference latitude line.
- 1Open the Tropic of Cancer map: Follow the amber reference line around the world map. It represents a commonly used approximate latitude, not a live astronomical ephemeris.
- 2Choose a longitude: Enter a longitude, move the slider, choose a region shortcut, or click the map to inspect a point along the reference parallel.
- 3Read or copy the coordinate: The map keeps latitude at 23.4364° N and updates longitude. Copy the coordinate for a class exercise or general map reference.
- 4Explore places and crossings: Use the shortcuts and the country-and-territory guide to follow the line from North Africa and Asia across the Pacific to the Americas.
An approximate reference for the northern tropic
This map uses 23.4364° N as a fixed cartographic reference for the Tropic of Cancer. The astronomical tropic follows changes in Earth’s axial tilt, so this is not a date-specific solar calculation. Its WGS 84 parallel length is a model-derived reference, not a ground-route measurement. The displayed line and basemap are for geographic reference, not surveying or legal boundary work.
Locate the Tropic in India
A geography student wants a map reference near central India.
Input Parameters
- Reference latitude
- 23.4364° N (approximate)
- Longitude
- 78° E (regional shortcut)
Computed Outputs
- Map-reference coordinate
- 23.436400° N, 78.000000° E
Step-by-Step Mathematical Process
- Select the India shortcut.
- Read the coordinate shown beside the map.
Understand the WGS 84 parallel length
A learner compares the Tropic’s circumference with the Equator.
Input Parameters
- Latitude reference
- 23.4364° N
- WGS 84 method
- C = 2πN cos φ
Computed Outputs
- Parallel circumference
- approximately 36,788 km along the WGS 84 reference parallel (rounded)
Step-by-Step Mathematical Process
- Calculate the prime-vertical radius N of the WGS 84 ellipsoid at latitude φ.
- Multiply the radius of that parallel by 2π.
Compare the Tropic with the June solstice
A teacher explains why the Tropic is linked to the northern summer solstice.
Input Parameters
- Seasonal event
- June solstice
- Solar geometry
- Northernmost subsolar latitude of the year
Computed Outputs
- Geographic idea
- The Tropic marks the northern boundary of the region where the Sun can pass overhead.
Step-by-Step Mathematical Process
- Find the June solstice date for the year being studied from a reliable astronomical almanac.
- Compare the Sun’s declination at that time with the approximate Tropic line.
Understanding Your Results & Practical Interpretation
Latitude is an approximate reference
The interactive line uses 23.4364° N, a conventional mapping value. Educational sources often round the Tropic of Cancer to 23.5° N or 23°27′ N. Those rounded labels are suitable for general geography, while precise astronomical work requires a date and an ephemeris.
The solstice explains the line’s meaning
Near the June solstice, the Sun’s subsolar point reaches its northern annual extreme. The Tropic of Cancer marks the approximate northern limit where the Sun can be directly overhead at solar noon.
Published crossing counts use different conventions
One commonly published list names these 17 countries or territories: Algeria, Niger, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Taiwan, Mexico, the Bahamas, Western Sahara, Mauritania, and Mali. Western Sahara is disputed, and Taiwan’s political status is disputed. Some maps also discuss a near-touch or boundary contact with Chad, so a total depends on the chosen boundary dataset and counting convention.
Practical Applications & Real-World Use Cases
Learn world latitude lines
Use the interactive Tropic of Cancer map to connect 23.5° north latitude, the Equator, and the tropics.
Plan a geography lesson
Follow the approximate parallel across North Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, and North America.
Inspect a longitude on the parallel
Select or copy a coordinate constrained to the map’s reference latitude for a classroom or general map exercise.
Mathematical Methodology & Geodetic Accuracy
Approximate Tropic Latitude and WGS 84 Parallel Length
The map uses 23.4364° N as a static, commonly used cartographic reference. The astronomical tropic is associated with Earth’s obliquity and is not a permanently fixed latitude. The displayed parallel length is calculated on the WGS 84 ellipsoid.
φref = 23.4364° N; N = a / √(1 − e² sin²φ); C = 2πN cosφLimitations & Boundary Conditions
- •The actual astronomical tropic follows changes in Earth’s axial tilt and should not be treated as an exact permanent latitude.
- •Political boundaries and island inclusion affect country/territory counts; the line may touch boundary regions that some lists omit.
- •The parallel circumference is a model-derived ellipsoid value, not a ground-route distance.
- •Map tiles require an internet connection and are provided by OpenStreetMap contributors.
Troubleshooting & Geographic Edge Cases
Why do maps show 23.5°, 23°27′, or 23.4364° N?
They use different rounded or conventional reference values. The actual astronomical tropic is related to Earth’s changing axial tilt, while this interactive map uses one documented fixed approximation.
Why does the map not show the exact Sun position for today?
This is a static geography reference map. A date-specific subsolar point requires astronomical calculations and changes throughout the year.
Why do websites list different numbers of countries?
Some lists include or exclude disputed territories, Taiwan, boundary contacts, and islands. Always check what the author counts as a country crossing.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the approximate parallel of latitude near 23.5° north, crossing parts of North America, Africa, and Asia. This page shows it as an amber line on an interactive world map.