Interactive Tropic of Capricorn Map
Explore an interactive Tropic of Capricorn map at an approximate 23.5° S reference latitude. Inspect coordinates, commonly listed country crossings, and the December solstice connection.
The Tropic of Capricorn is the approximate southern latitude limit where the Sun can appear directly overhead at solar noon. It is commonly shown near 23.5° south and is associated with the Sun’s southernmost subsolar position around the December solstice.
Explore the line
Click the map to inspect the nearest longitude on this reference parallel. Latitude stays at the approximate map value; this is not a live solar-position tool.
Tropic of Capricorn Map: Reference Details
23.4364° S (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 Capricorn
Use this free Tropic of Capricorn map to explore longitude, coordinates, and the reference latitude line.
- 1Open the interactive Tropic of Capricorn map: Follow the teal reference line near 23.5° S around the world map. The line is a fixed, approximate cartographic reference.
- 2Choose a longitude to inspect: Enter a longitude, move the slider, choose a regional shortcut, or click the map. The selected marker remains on the reference parallel.
- 3Read or copy the coordinate: Read the decimal latitude and longitude plus the longitude in degrees, minutes, and seconds. Copy the coordinate for a general geography exercise.
- 4Explore countries and seasonal meaning: Use the country guide to follow the line through South America, southern Africa, Madagascar, and Australia, then read how it relates to the December solstice.
An approximate reference for the southern tropic
This map uses 23.4364° S as a fixed cartographic reference for the Tropic of Capricorn. 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.
Inspect the Tropic near Namibia
A student wants a map coordinate in southern Africa along the approximate Tropic of Capricorn.
Input Parameters
- Reference latitude
- 23.4364° S (approximate)
- Longitude
- 17° E (regional shortcut)
Computed Outputs
- Map-reference coordinate
- 23.436400° S, 17.000000° E
Step-by-Step Mathematical Process
- Select Namibia in the longitude shortcuts.
- Read the selected point beside the map.
Understand the parallel length
A learner compares a tropical parallel with the Equator.
Input Parameters
- Reference latitude
- 23.4364° S
- 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
- Find the WGS 84 prime-vertical radius N at latitude φ.
- Multiply the radius of the parallel by 2π.
Connect the Tropic to the December solstice
A geography class discusses why this southern latitude is associated with December.
Input Parameters
- Seasonal event
- December solstice
- Solar geometry
- Southernmost subsolar latitude of the year
Computed Outputs
- Geographic idea
- The Tropic marks the approximate southern limit where the Sun can be overhead at solar noon.
Step-by-Step Mathematical Process
- Check the solstice date for the year in an astronomical almanac.
- Compare the Sun’s declination near that date with the approximate Tropic line.
Understanding Your Results & Practical Interpretation
The latitude is a fixed approximation
This interactive map uses 23.4364° S, often rounded in educational maps to about 23.5° S or 23°27′ S. The astronomical Tropic follows changes in Earth’s axial tilt, so this fixed line is for general map reference rather than precision astronomy.
Why the December solstice matters
Around the December solstice, the Sun’s subsolar point reaches its southern annual extreme near the Tropic of Capricorn. This is summer in the Southern Hemisphere and winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
Countries commonly listed on the line
A conventional country list names ten crossings: Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, and Australia. Counts can depend on boundary data and on whether a line touching a border or island is counted.
Practical Applications & Real-World Use Cases
Study major lines of latitude
Use the map to relate the Tropic of Capricorn to the Equator, the tropics, and the Southern Hemisphere.
Explore the December solstice
Connect the approximate southern Tropic with the Sun’s yearly southernmost subsolar latitude and seasonal differences between hemispheres.
Inspect a longitude on the Tropic
Choose and copy an approximate reference coordinate along the parallel for classroom and general map use.
Mathematical Methodology & Geodetic Accuracy
Approximate Tropic Latitude and WGS 84 Parallel Length
The map uses 23.4364° S as a static, commonly used cartographic reference. The astronomical tropic is related to Earth’s obliquity and is not a permanently fixed latitude. Parallel length is calculated on the WGS 84 ellipsoid.
φref = 23.4364° S; N = a / √(1 − e² sin²φ); C = 2πN cosφLimitations & Boundary Conditions
- •The astronomical Tropic changes with Earth’s axial tilt; this map displays one fixed approximate latitude.
- •Published country-crossing lists can differ by coastline data, territorial status, and how boundary contacts are counted.
- •Parallel circumference is a model-derived ellipsoid value, not a road, route, or terrain distance.
- •Map tiles require an internet connection and are supplied by OpenStreetMap contributors.
Authoritative Reference Standards
Troubleshooting & Geographic Edge Cases
Why do maps show 23.5°, 23°27′, or 23.4364° S?
These are rounded or conventional map reference values. Earth’s astronomical Tropic is related to axial tilt and is not an immutable exact latitude; this page documents the fixed value it uses.
Does the map show the Sun’s exact position today?
No. It is a static reference parallel. Computing a date-specific subsolar point requires astronomical calculations that change with date and time.
Why do sources list different countries?
Crossing counts may differ because of map scale, boundary datasets, territorial or island conventions, and whether a boundary contact counts as crossing a country.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the approximate parallel near 23.5° south latitude. It crosses parts of South America, southern Africa, Madagascar, and Australia; this page shows it as an interactive teal reference line.