Antarctic Circle

Antarctic Circle map provided by Classroom Clip Art

The Antarctic Circle is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. Everything south of this circle is known as the Antarctic, and the zone to the north is the Southern Temperate Zone.

This is the parallel of latitude that runs approximately 66.5° south of the Equator. Within the Antarctic Circle, the Sun is above the horizon for, at least, 24 continuous hours per year, in conjunction with the Summer Solstice. Likewise, in conjunction with the antarctic Winter Solstice, the sun is below the horizon for, at least, 24 continuous hours.