Antarctic Circle

Zoomable PDF of the map this is based on

The Antarctic Circle is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. It is the parallel of latitude 66° 33' 38" south of the equator. Everywhere within the Antarctic Circle there is at least one day of the year for which the Sun is above the horizon for 24 continuous hours. Likewise there is at least one day for which the sun is below the horizon for 24 continuous hours.

All areas south of this circle is known as the Antarctic, and the zone to the north is the Southern Temperate Zone.

The continent of Antarctica forms a land mass covering much of the area within the Antarctic Circle.

See also

• Arctic Circle
• summer solstice
• winter solstice