Imaginary Lines Crossing Brazil: Equator, Tropic of Capricorn, Prime Meridian

Three Global Reference Lines

Brazil's vast territory (8.5M km²) spans multiple key geographic parallels and meridians.

1. The Equator (0° Latitude)

• Crosses northern Brazil through Amazonas, Roraima, Pará, Amapá states.
• Passes through Macapá (capital of Amapá) – Marco Zero monument marks the line.
• Divides Brazil into Northern (2% area) and Southern (98%) hemispheric portions.

2. Tropic of Capricorn (23°26′S)

• Crosses southern Brazil: Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná, São Paulo.
• Marks southern limit of tropical zone; sun directly overhead at December solstice.
• Cities near line: São Paulo (23°33′S), Curitiba (25°25′S) just south.

3. Prime Meridian (0° Longitude) – Does NOT Cross Brazil

• Runs through Greenwich, UK. Brazil lies entirely in the Western Hemisphere (28°–74°W).
• Brazil's easternmost point (Ponta do Seixas, Paraíba) is 34°47′W.
• The 20th Meridian West is sometimes used as a reference for Brazilian time zones (UTC-3/-4).

Additional Brazilian Reference

The Equator and Tropic of Capricorn are the only standard global lines crossing Brazil. The country spans ~39° of latitude (5°N – 34°S) and ~46° of longitude.