There are five major latitudes of the world. As of March 2018 I have crossed them all (almost) either via air, land or sea. The five major latitudes from North to South are:
- Arctic Circle – 66° North
- Tropic of Cancer – 23° North
- Equator – 0°
- Tropic of Capricorn – 23° South
- Antarctic Circle – 66° South
Arctic Circle (Air)
The northernmost major latitude was my most recent crossing on March 22, 2018. This was done via China Eastern flight MU208 from Toronto to Shanghai. The 15-hour direct flight takes the shortest path between these two destinations which happens to be over the Northern pole (but not directly over the North Pole). I took a photo of the flight map as the plane was far above Alaska. While it should be easy to spot the Aurora Borealis at this latitude and altitude, it was too bright outside to see it (similarly on the return flight).
Prior to this the closest I came to the Arctic Circle was in August 2007 on land while staying at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge in Alaska (63°N). I didn’t expect to get closer until I eventually make the trip to Svalbard in the Arctic.
Tropic of Cancer (Air, Sea)
Since the Tropic of Cancer is not too far south of Bermuda, it was my first major latitude crossing in March 2000. My first crossing was made via a direct charter flight from Bermuda to Montego Bay, Jamaica while on a training exercise with the Bermuda Regiment. I would cross it again via sea in July 2003 while on a Disney cruise of the Eastern Caribbean.
Equator (Air)
I would first cross the most well know major latitude the Equator, the Earth’s central latitude in November 2010. The crossing took place via a Delta flight from Atlanta to Buenos Aires. I would cross it again via air a number of times on my many trips to South America as well as my trips to southern Africa and Australia.
Tropic of Capricorn (Air, Land)
My above flight from Atlanta to Buenos Aires in November 2010 would also be my first crossing via air of the Tropic of Capricorn. While I would cross it again via air on subsequent trips to Argentina and Uruguay, I would make the crossing via land in May 2016 while in Namibia.
Antarctic Circle (Sea)
I haven’t quite crossed the southern most major latitude the Antarctic Circle yet but I’ve come pretty close. The closest approach came in November 2010 while on expedition to Antarctica aboard a Russian research vessel. In fact this entire trip in November 2010 would actually take me across 3 (and nearly 4) of the 5 major latitudes.
The above map shows the GPS route of our ship in the Antarctic Peninsula. The red dot shows our furthest point south. That stopping point was while attempting to visit the Ukranian Vernadsky Research Base a little further south which would have put us about 45 miles away from the Antarctic Circle. Unfortunately it was still early Spring and the ice in the straits blocked our path causing us to turn back. As a result our stopping point was about 55 miles away from the Antarctic Circle. Although I am planning to travel to Antarctica again in 2019, it most likely won’t be one of the expeditions that crosses the Antarctic Circle.
