The 31st parallel north is a circle of latitude that is 31 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses Africa, Asia, the Pacific Ocean, North America and the Atlantic Ocean.
Part of the border between Iran and Iraq is defined by the parallel. In the United States, it defines part of the border between the states of Mississippi and Louisiana, and most of the border between Alabama and Florida.
Andrew Ellicott surveyed this parallel in 1797, when it was the border between the United States and Spanish territory.
At this latitude the sun is visible for 14 hours, 10 minutes during the summer solstice and 10 hours, 8 minutes during the winter solstice.
Read more about 31st Parallel North: Around The World
Famous quotes containing the words parallel and/or north:
“The beginnings of altruism can be seen in children as early as the age of two. How then can we be so concerned that they count by the age of three, read by four, and walk with their hands across the overhead parallel bars by five, and not be concerned that they act with kindness to others?”
—Neil Kurshan (20th century)
“I’m trusting in the Lord and a good lawyer.”
—Oliver North (b. 1943)