Tropical Rainforest Location: 10°N–10°S of the Equator (The Tropics)

Tropical rainforests occupy a narrow equatorial belt—between the Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N) and Tropic of Capricorn (23.5°S), concentrated within ±10° of the Equator.

Core Regions

• Amazon Basin (South America) – 60% of global tropical forest.
• Congo Basin (Central Africa) – 2nd largest.
• Southeast Asia – Sundaland (Borneo, Sumatra, New Guinea), Indochina.
• New Guinea / NE Australia (Daintree).
• Central America / Chocó (Colombia/Ecuador Pacific).
• Caribbean – windward mountain slopes.

Climatic Envelope (Köppen Af / Am)

• Mean monthly temp ≥ 18°C every month.
• Annual rainfall > 2,000 mm (often 3,000–10,000 mm).
• No dry season (Af) or short dry season (Am).
• High humidity, constant insolation, low seasonality.

Why the Equator?

Converging trade winds → Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) → persistent convection → daily rain. Stable warmth allows year-round growth; no frost, no dormancy.

Deforestation pushes margins; climate change may shift ITCZ. Protecting the equatorial belt is protecting the planet’s lungs.