The 15th parallel north is a circle of latitude that is 15 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses Africa, Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, Central America, the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean.
In the Chadian-Libyan conflict of 1978 to 1987, the parallel, known as the "Red Line", delineated areas controlled by opposing combatants. (See also Operation Manta.)
At this latitude the sun is visible for 13 hours, 1 minute during the summer solstice and 11 hours, 14 minutes during the winter solstice.
Read more about 15th Parallel North: Around The World
Famous quotes containing the words parallel and/or north:
“There isn’t a Parallel of Latitude but thinks it would have been the Equator if it had had its rights.”
—Mark Twain [Samuel Langhorne Clemens] (1835–1910)
“If I could put my hand on the north star, would it be as beautiful? The sea is lovely, but when we bathe in it the beauty forsakes all the near water. For the imagination and senses cannot be gratified at the same time.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)