Tropic of Capricorn Map
The Tropic of Capricorn (23.4394° S) is the southern mirror of the Tropic of Cancer — the farthest south the Sun's direct rays ever reach. Follow it through South America, Africa and Australia, and see why the Atacama, Namib and Kalahari deserts all sit on this line.
The 10 countries on the Tropic of Capricorn
West to east:
- 1Chile — Crosses the Atacama Desert — the driest non-polar desert on Earth — near Antofagasta.
- 2Argentina — Through the northern provinces, including San Salvador de Jujuy.
- 3Paraguay — A short crossing in the country's south-west.
- 4Brazil — Passes through São Paulo state; the city of São Paulo lies just south of the line.
- 5Namibia — Through the Namib Desert, home to some of the world's tallest dunes.
- 6Botswana — Crosses the Kalahari; a monument marks the line on the Trans-Kalahari highway.
- 7South Africa — Through Limpopo province in the country's far north.
- 8Mozambique — A brief crossing near the southern border region.
- 9Madagascar — Through the arid south of the island, near Toliara.
- 10Australia — The longest single-country stretch — across Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland, marked at Longreach.
The December solstice line — and the desert belt
The Tropic of Capricorn is the southern mirror of the Tropic of Cancer: the farthest south the Sun's direct rays ever reach, achieved on the December solstice (around December 21), when the Southern Hemisphere gets its longest day. South of this line the Sun is never directly overhead.
Like its northern twin, it is named for where the December-solstice Sun appeared 2,000 years ago — the constellation Capricornus. Precession has since moved the solstice Sun into Sagittarius, but cartographers kept the classical name.
The southern desert belt is just as striking as the northern one. The Atacama in Chile (the driest non-polar place on Earth), the Namib with its giant dunes, the Kalahari, and the vast Australian deserts all sit on or near this parallel — the same sinking-air mechanism that parches the Sahara operates in mirror image here. Australia's crossing is the longest of any country on either tropic, running the width of a continent.
How to use this tool
Follow the violet line from Chile across Argentina, southern Africa, Madagascar and the width of Australia.
All 10 crossings are listed west to east with notes on deserts, cities and monuments.
Learn how sinking air at 20–30° S creates the Atacama, Namib, Kalahari and Australian deserts.
What people use this tool for
The astronomical reason December is summer south of the equator.
One map connecting four of the world's great deserts to a single mechanism.
Stand where the Sun is directly overhead at noon on December 21.
How it's calculated
The latitude equals Earth's axial tilt (about 23.4394°), mirrored into the Southern Hemisphere. It is the parallel of maximum southern solar declination, reached at the December solstice. Country crossings follow current international boundaries.
Related tools and resources
Frequently asked questions
What is the Tropic of Capricorn?
The parallel at about 23.44° S — the southernmost latitude where the Sun can be directly overhead, reached on the December solstice.
Which countries does it cross?
Ten: Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar and Australia.
Why is it called Capricorn?
Two thousand years ago the December-solstice Sun appeared in Capricornus. Precession has moved it into Sagittarius, but the classical name remains.
Which deserts lie on this line?
The Atacama (Chile), Namib (Namibia), Kalahari (Botswana) and the great Australian deserts — all products of the subtropical high-pressure belt.
Is it the same distance from the equator as the Tropic of Cancer?
Yes — both sit at 23.4394° from the equator, one north and one south, set by Earth's axial tilt.
Does Australia have a marked crossing?
Yes — monuments mark it at several points, including Longreach in Queensland on the country's longest single-nation stretch.