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tropics

Also known as tropical zone, tropical region

thumb|upright=1.5|World map with the intertropical zone highlighted in crimson thumb|upright=1.5|Areas of the world with [[tropical climates.

AI overview

The tropics are the regions of Earth located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, characterized by warm climates and high biodiversity. These areas are important because they contain much of the world's plant and animal species, influence global weather patterns, and support billions of people who depend on their resources.

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Commons category: Tropics

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~11 min read

Article

11 sections

Contents

Etymology
Astronomical definition
Seasons and climate
Climate change
Ecosystems
Flora
Tropicality
See also
Notes
References
External links

thumb|upright=1.5|World map with the intertropical zone highlighted in crimson thumb|upright=1.5|Areas of the world with tropical climates.

The tropics are the region of Earth surrounding the equator, where the Sun may shine directly overhead. This contrasts with the temperate or polar regions of Earth, where the Sun can never be directly overhead. Because of Earth's axial tilt, the width of the tropics (in latitude) is twice the tilt. The tropics are also referred to as the tropical zone and the torrid zone (see geographical zone).