Circles of latitude between the 50th parallel south and the 60th parallel south

Following are circles of latitude between the 50th parallel south and the 60th parallel south. These circles of latitude generally pass through the southernmost portion of South America as well as minor islands, though higher latitudes generally cross only open ocean.

51st parallel south

The 51st parallel south is a circle of latitude that is 51 degrees south of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and South America.

At this latitude the sun is visible for 16 hours, 33 minutes during the December solstice and 7 hours, 55 minutes during the June solstice.

Around the world

Starting at the Prime Meridian and heading eastwards, the parallel 51° south passes through:

Coordinates Country, territory or ocean Notes 51°0′S 0°0′E/51.000°S 0.000°E/ -51.000; 0.000(Prime Meridian) Atlantic Ocean 51°0′S 20°0′E/51.000°S 20.000°E/ -51.000; 20.000(Indian Ocean) Indian Ocean 51°0′S 147°0′E/51.000°S 147.000°E/ -51.000; 147.000(Pacific Ocean) Pacific Ocean Passing just south of Adams Island, Auckland Islands, New Zealand 51°0′S 75°5′W/51.000°S 75.083°W/ -51.000; -75.083(Chile) Chile Patagonic Archipelago and mainland, Magallanes Region 51°0′S 72°15′W/51.000°S 72.250°W/ -51.000; -72.250(Argentina) Argentina Santa Cruz Province 51°0′S 69°9′W/51.000°S 69.150°W/ -51.000; -69.150(Atlantic Ocean) Atlantic Ocean Passing just north of the Jason Islands, Falkland Islands (UK Territory claimed by Argentina)

52nd parallel south

The 52nd parallel south is a circle of latitude that is 52 degrees south of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and South America.

The parallel defines part of the border between Argentina and Chile.

At this latitude the sun is visible for 16 hours, 44 minutes during the December solstice and 7 hours, 44 minutes during the June solstice.

Around the world

Starting at the Prime Meridian and heading eastwards, the parallel 52° south passes through:

Coordinates Country, territory or ocean Notes 52°0′S 0°0′E/52.000°S 0.000°E/ -52.000; 0.000(Prime Meridian) Atlantic Ocean 52°0′S 20°0′E/52.000°S 20.000°E/ -52.000; 20.000(Indian Ocean) Indian Ocean 52°0′S 147°0′E/52.000°S 147.000°E/ -52.000; 147.000(Pacific Ocean) Pacific Ocean 52°0′S 75°4′W/52.000°S 75.067°W/ -52.000; -75.067(Chile) Chile Patagonic Archipelago and mainland, Magallanes Region 52°0′S 71°55′W/52.000°S 71.917°W/ -52.000; -71.917(Argentina / Chile border) Argentina / Chile border 52°0′S 70°0′W/52.000°S 70.000°W/ -52.000; -70.000(Argentina) Argentina Santa Cruz Province 52°0′S 68°42′W/52.000°S 68.700°W/ -52.000; -68.700(Atlantic Ocean) Atlantic Ocean 52°0′S 60°57′W/52.000°S 60.950°W/ -52.000; -60.950(Falkland Islands) Falkland Islands Dyke Island and West Falkland (claimed by Argentina) 52°0′S 59°57′W/52.000°S 59.950°W/ -52.000; -59.950(Falkland Sound) Atlantic Ocean Falkland Sound 52°0′S 59°35′W/52.000°S 59.583°W/ -52.000; -59.583(Falkland Islands) Falkland Islands East Falkland and Lively Island (claimed by Argentina) 52°0′S 58°21′W/52.000°S 58.350°W/ -52.000; -58.350(Atlantic Ocean) Atlantic Ocean

53rd parallel south

The 53rd parallel south is a circle of latitude that is 53 degrees south of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and South America.

At this latitude the sun is visible for 16 hours, 56 minutes during the December solstice and 7 hours, 34 minutes during the June solstice. Approximately 53º18' South, 33km (21mi) south of this parallel, during the December summer solstice, the sun is visible for 17 hours exactly. If the latitude in the southern hemisphere is 53º47' or smaller, it is possible to view both astronomical dawn and dusk every day of the month of February.

Around the world

Starting at the Prime Meridian and heading eastwards, the parallel 53° south passes through:

Coordinates Country, territory or ocean Notes 53°0′S 0°0′E/53.000°S 0.000°E/ -53.000; 0.000(Prime Meridian) Atlantic Ocean 53°0′S 20°0′E/53.000°S 20.000°E/ -53.000; 20.000(Indian Ocean) Indian Ocean Passing just north of the McDonald Islands, Australia 53°0′S 73°15′E/53.000°S 73.250°E/ -53.000; 73.250(Australia) Australia Heard Island 53°0′S 73°25′E/53.000°S 73.417°E/ -53.000; 73.417(Indian Ocean) Indian Ocean 53°0′S 169°9′E/53.000°S 169.150°E/ -53.000; 169.150(Pacific Ocean) Pacific Ocean Passing just south of Campbell Island, New Zealand 53°0′S 74°28′W/53.000°S 74.467°W/ -53.000; -74.467(Chile) Chile Desolación Island, Magallanes Region 53°0′S 73°57′W/53.000°S 73.950°W/ -53.000; -73.950(Strait of Magellan) Pacific Ocean Strait of Magellan 53°0′S 73°25′W/53.000°S 73.417°W/ -53.000; -73.417(Chile) Chile Muñoz Gamero Peninsula and Riesco Island, Magallanes Region 53°0′S 71°52′W/53.000°S 71.867°W/ -53.000; -71.867(Seno Otway) Pacific Ocean Seno Otway 53°0′S 71°15′W/53.000°S 71.250°W/ -53.000; -71.250(Chile) Chile Brunswick Peninsula, Magallanes Region 53°0′S 70°49′W/53.000°S 70.817°W/ -53.000; -70.817(Strait of Magellan) Pacific Ocean Strait of Magellan 53°0′S 70°24′W/53.000°S 70.400°W/ -53.000; -70.400(Chile) Chile Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, Magallanes Region 53°0′S 68°36′W/53.000°S 68.600°W/ -53.000; -68.600(Argentina) Argentina Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, Tierra del Fuego Province 53°0′S 68°15′W/53.000°S 68.250°W/ -53.000; -68.250(Atlantic Ocean) Atlantic Ocean Passing just south of Beauchene Island, Falkland Islands (claimed by Argentina)

54th parallel south

The 54th parallel south is a circle of latitude that is 54 degrees south of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and South America.

At this latitude the sun is visible for 17 hours, 9 minutes during the December solstice and 7 hours, 22 minutes during the June solstice.

Around the world

Starting at the Prime Meridian and heading eastwards, the parallel 54° south passes through:

Coordinates Country, territory or ocean Notes 54°0′S 0°0′E/54.000°S 0.000°E/ -54.000; 0.000(Prime Meridian) Atlantic Ocean Passing north of Bouvet Island, Norway 54°0′S 20°0′E/54.000°S 20.000°E/ -54.000; 20.000(Indian Ocean) Indian Ocean Passing just north of Macquarie Island, Australia 54°0′S 147°0′E/54.000°S 147.000°E/ -54.000; 147.000(Pacific Ocean) Pacific Ocean 54°0′S 73°9′W/54.000°S 73.150°W/ -54.000; -73.150(Chile) Chile Santa Inés Island, Clarence Island and Aracena Island, Magallanes Region 54°0′S 71°16′W/54.000°S 71.267°W/ -54.000; -71.267(Strait of Magellan) Pacific Ocean Strait of Magellan 54°0′S 70°52′W/54.000°S 70.867°W/ -54.000; -70.867(Chile) Chile Dawson Island, Magallanes Region 54°0′S 70°20′W/54.000°S 70.333°W/ -54.000; -70.333(Canal Whiteside) Pacific Ocean Canal Whiteside 54°0′S 70°5′W/54.000°S 70.083°W/ -54.000; -70.083(Chile) Chile Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, Magallanes Region 54°0′S 68°37′W/54.000°S 68.617°W/ -54.000; -68.617(Argentina) Argentina Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, Tierra del Fuego Province 54°0′S 67°24′W/54.000°S 67.400°W/ -54.000; -67.400(Atlantic Ocean) Atlantic Ocean 54°0′S 38°12′W/54.000°S 38.200°W/ -54.000; -38.200(South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands) South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Willis Islands, Bird Island and South Georgia 54°0′S 37°23′W/54.000°S 37.383°W/ -54.000; -37.383(Atlantic Ocean) Atlantic Ocean

55th parallel south

The 55th parallel south is a circle of latitude that is 55 degrees south of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and South America.

At this latitude the sun is visible for 17 hours, 22 minutes during the December solstice and 7 hours, 10 minutes during the June solstice.

Around the world

Starting at the Prime Meridian and heading eastwards, the parallel 55° south passes through:

Coordinates Country, territory or ocean Notes 55°0′S 0°0′E/55.000°S 0.000°E/ -55.000; 0.000(Prime Meridian) Atlantic Ocean Passing south of Bouvet Island, Norway 55°0′S 20°0′E/55.000°S 20.000°E/ -55.000; 20.000(Indian Ocean) Indian Ocean 55°0′S 147°0′E/55.000°S 147.000°E/ -55.000; 147.000(Pacific Ocean) Pacific Ocean Passing just south of Macquarie Island, Australia Passing just north of Bishop and Clerk Islets, Australia 55°0′S 71°14′W/55.000°S 71.233°W/ -55.000; -71.233(Chile) Chile Islands of Gilbert, Londonderry, London, Thompson, Gordon, Hoste, Navarino and Picton, Magallanes Region 55°0′S 67°0′W/55.000°S 67.000°W/ -55.000; -67.000(Beagle Channel) Pacific Ocean Beagle Channel 55°0′S 66°42′W/55.000°S 66.700°W/ -55.000; -66.700(Argentina) Argentina Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, Tierra del Fuego Province 55°0′S 66°23′W/55.000°S 66.383°W/ -55.000; -66.383(Atlantic Ocean) Atlantic Ocean Passing just south of Isla de los Estados, Argentina Passing just south of the island of South Georgia, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (claimed by Argentina)

56th parallel south

The 56th parallel south is a circle of latitude that is 56 degrees south of the Earth's equatorial plane. No land lies on the parallel — it crosses nothing but ocean.

At this latitude the sun is visible for 17 hours, 37 minutes during the December solstice and 6 hours, 57 minutes during the June solstice.

The longest continuous east–west distance at sea is along this latitude, at 55°59'S. (see Extremes on Earth §Along constant latitude)

Around the world

Starting at the Prime Meridian and heading eastwards, the parallel 56° south passes through:

Coordinates Ocean Notes 56°0′S 0°0′E/56.000°S 0.000°E/ -56.000; 0.000(Prime Meridian) Atlantic Ocean 56°0′S 20°0′E/56.000°S 20.000°E/ -56.000; 20.000(Indian Ocean) Indian Ocean 56°0′S 147°0′E/56.000°S 147.000°E/ -56.000; 147.000(Pacific Ocean) Pacific Ocean Passing through the Drake Passage between South America and Antarctic Peninsula 56°0′S 67°17′W/56.000°S 67.283°W/ -56.000; -67.283(Pacific Ocean) Pacific Ocean Passing approximately 2 kilometers south of Hornos Island (Cape Horn), Chile 56°0′S 67°16′W/56.000°S 67.267°W/ -56.000; -67.267(Atlantic Ocean) Atlantic Ocean Running through the Scotia Sea. 56°0′S 36°6′W/56.000°S 36.100°W/ -56.000; -36.100(Atlantic Ocean) Atlantic Ocean Passing approximately 122 kilometers south of South Georgia, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (claimed by Argentina).

57th parallel south

The 57th parallel south is a circle of latitude that is 57 degrees south of the Earth's equatorial plane. No land lies on the parallel — it crosses nothing but ocean.

At this latitude the sun is visible for 17 hours, 53 minutes during the December solstice and 6 hours, 43 minutes during the June solstice. On December 21, the sun is at 56.44 degrees in the sky and on June 21, the sun is at 9.56 degrees in the sky. During the summer solstice, nighttime does not get beyond nautical twilight, a condition which lasts throughout the month of December. It is possible to view both astronomical dawn and dusk every day of the month of October. The maximum altitude of the Sun is >18.00° in April and >11.00° in May.

Around the world

Starting at the Prime Meridian and heading eastwards, the parallel 57° south passes through:

Coordinates Ocean Notes 57°0′S 0°0′E/57.000°S 0.000°E/ -57.000; 0.000(Prime Meridian) Atlantic Ocean 57°0′S 20°0′E/57.000°S 20.000°E/ -57.000; 20.000(Indian Ocean) Indian Ocean 57°0′S 147°0′E/57.000°S 147.000°E/ -57.000; 147.000(Pacific Ocean) Pacific Ocean Passing through the Drake Passage between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula 57°0′S 67°16′W/57.000°S 67.267°W/ -57.000; -67.267(Atlantic Ocean) Atlantic Ocean Running through the Scotia Sea, passing 8 kilometers north of Vindication Island and Candlemas Island, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (claimed by Argentina)

58th parallel south

The 58th parallel south is a circle of latitude that is 58 degrees south of the Earth's equatorial plane. No land lies on the parallel — it crosses nothing but ocean.

At this latitude the sun is visible for 18 hours, 11 minutes during the December solstice and 6 hours, 27 minutes during the June solstice.

Around the world

Starting at the Prime Meridian and heading eastwards, the parallel 58° south passes through:

Coordinates Ocean Notes 58°0′S 0°0′E/58.000°S 0.000°E/ -58.000; 0.000(Prime Meridian) Atlantic Ocean 58°0′S 20°0′E/58.000°S 20.000°E/ -58.000; 20.000(Indian Ocean) Indian Ocean 58°0′S 147°0′E/58.000°S 147.000°E/ -58.000; 147.000(Pacific Ocean) Pacific Ocean Passing through the Drake Passage between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula 58°0′S 67°16′W/58.000°S 67.267°W/ -58.000; -67.267(Atlantic Ocean) Atlantic Ocean Running through the Scotia Sea, passing between Saunders Island and Montagu Island, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (claimed by Argentina)

59th parallel south

The 59th parallel south is a circle of latitude that is 59 degrees south of the Earth's equatorial plane. The only landmass on this parallel is Bristol Island.

At this latitude the sun is visible for 18 hours, 30 minutes during the December solstice and 6 hours, 10 minutes during the June solstice.

Around the world

Starting at the Prime Meridian and heading eastwards, the parallel 59° south passes through:

Coordinates Territory or ocean Notes 59°0′S 0°0′E/59.000°S 0.000°E/ -59.000; 0.000(Prime Meridian) Atlantic Ocean 59°0′S 20°0′E/59.000°S 20.000°E/ -59.000; 20.000(Indian Ocean) Indian Ocean 59°0′S 147°0′E/59.000°S 147.000°E/ -59.000; 147.000(Pacific Ocean) Pacific Ocean Passing through the Drake Passage between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula 59°0′S 67°16′W/59.000°S 67.267°W/ -59.000; -67.267(Atlantic Ocean) Atlantic Ocean Running through the Scotia Sea 59°0′S 26°37′W/59.000°S 26.617°W/ -59.000; -26.617(Bristol Island) South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Bristol Island (claimed by Argentina) 59°0′S 26°35′W/59.000°S 26.583°W/ -59.000; -26.583(Atlantic Ocean) Atlantic Ocean

60th parallel south

The 60th parallel south is a circle of latitude that is 60 degrees south of Earth's equatorial plane. No land lies on the parallel—it crosses nothing but ocean. The closest land is a group of rocks north of Coronation Island (Melson Rocks or Governor Islands) of the South Orkney Islands, which are about 54km south of the parallel, and Thule Island and Cook Island of the South Sandwich Islands, which both are about 57km north of the parallel (with Cook Island slightly closer).

The parallel marks the northern limit of the Southern Ocean (though some organisations and countries, notably Australia, have other definitions) and of the Antarctic Treaty System. It also marks the southern boundary of the South Pacific Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone and the Latin American Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone.

At this latitude the sun is visible for 18 hours, 52 minutes during the December solstice and 5 hours, 52 minutes during the June solstice. On December 21, the sun is at 53.44 degrees up in the sky and 6.56 degrees on June 21. The sun's altitude is exactly 30 degrees at either equinox.

The latitudes south of this parallel are often referred to as the Screaming 60s due to the prevailing high-speed, westerly winds which can generate large waves in excess of 15m (50ft) and peak wind speeds over 145km/h (90mph).

The maximum altitude of the Sun is >15.00° in April and >8.00° in May.

The lowest latitude where white nights can be observed is approximately on this parallel.

During the summer solstice, nighttime does not get beyond nautical twilight, a condition which lasts throughout the month of December. It is possible to view both astronomical dawn and dusk every day between February 17 and October 24.

Around the world

Starting at the prime meridian and heading eastwards, the parallel 60° south passes through:

Coordinates Ocean Notes 60°0′S 0°0′E/60.000°S 0.000°E/ -60.000; 0.000(Prime Meridian) The Prime Meridian 60°0′S 20°0′E/60.000°S 20.000°E/ -60.000; 20.000(the boundary of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans) the boundary of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans 60°0′S 147°0′E/60.000°S 147.000°E/ -60.000; 147.000(the boundary of the Indian and Pacific Oceans) the boundary of the Indian and Pacific Oceans Additionally passes through the Pacific Ocean at the Drake Passage between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula 60°0′S 67°16′W/60.000°S 67.267°W/ -60.000; -67.267(the boundary of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans) the boundary of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans Running close to the southern border of the Scotia Sea and the South Orkney Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (claimed by Argentina)

See also

• Circles of latitude between the 45th parallel south and the 50th parallel south
• Circles of latitude between the 55th parallel south and the 80th parallel south

Notes