A parallel of latitude is an imaginary line encircling the Earth, running east to west parallel to the equator, used to measure distance north or south. The 60th parallel north is a significant line in the Northern Hemisphere, marking a distinct geographical and climatic boundary. It intersects regions of human settlement and political relevance. Understanding the 60th parallel provides a clearer picture of high-latitude geography and the unique conditions created by the relationship between the sun, the Earth, and human activity.
Defining the 60th Parallel
The 60th parallel north is defined as the line 60 degrees north of the Earth’s equator, placing it 30 degrees away from the North Pole (90 degrees north latitude). The length of any parallel decreases as it moves away from the equator toward the poles. Because of this curvature, the 60th parallel is approximately half the length of the equator.
The parallel is a prominent feature on maps, where lines of latitude are drawn parallel to each other, unlike the lines of longitude which converge at the poles. For every degree of latitude, the distance on the Earth’s surface is about 111 kilometers, illustrating the immense scale of the 60th parallel as it wraps around the globe.
Global Path and Landmasses
The 60th parallel north traces an extensive path across major continents, oceans, and bodies of water in the Northern Hemisphere. Beginning in the Atlantic Ocean, the line first intersects the Shetland Islands off the coast of Scotland, which is part of the United Kingdom. From there, it enters Scandinavia, crossing the southern part of Norway, central Sweden, and southern Finland.
The parallel continues across the vast expanse of Eurasia, passing through Russia for thousands of miles. It crosses major bodies of water:
- The Gulf of Bothnia
- The Baltic Sea
- The North Sea
- The Bering Sea
In North America, the 60th parallel crosses the southern edge of Alaska and forms a significant political and geographical boundary in Canada. In Canada, the parallel delineates the southern boundaries of the Yukon Territory, the Northwest Territories, and the Nunavut mainland from the western provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The phrase “north of 60” is often used to refer to these northern territories. Before returning to the Atlantic, the parallel cuts across the southern tip of Greenland.
Notable Cities and Population Centers
Despite its high-latitude position, the 60th parallel is notable for a concentration of major cities and population centers, particularly in Europe. The parallel either passes directly through or lies extremely close to the capital cities of several Scandinavian countries. Oslo, the capital of Norway, is located very near the line, as is Stockholm, the capital of Sweden.
Helsinki, the capital of Finland, sits just south of the 60th parallel, as does Saint Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city. This density of large urban centers at such a northern latitude contrasts with the general remoteness of other high-latitude regions. Further east, the Russian cities of Arkhangelsk, Murmansk, and Surgut are also located at or above the 60th parallel.
In North America, the city of Anchorage, Alaska, is situated south of the line, but is one of the largest population centers in the region. While the Canadian territories north of the 60th parallel are vast, they contain fewer large cities, with settlements like Whitehorse in the Yukon and Fort Smith in the Northwest Territories being notable centers. The presence of these cities demonstrates how the moderating influence of ocean currents, especially in Europe, has allowed for substantial human habitation in areas that would otherwise be severely cold.
Climate and Ecology
The climate along the 60th parallel is subarctic or boreal, characterized by long, cold winters and short, mild summers. This region is dominated by the taiga, the world’s largest terrestrial biome, consisting mainly of coniferous forests like spruce, pine, and fir. The parallel’s climate exhibits significant variation due to the influence of ocean currents and continental landmasses.
Coastal areas, such as the Shetland Islands and the Norwegian coast near Bergen, benefit from the warming effects of the North Atlantic Current, resulting in milder winters where temperatures often remain above freezing. Conversely, inland areas of Canada and Siberia, far from oceanic influence, experience much more extreme continental climates with exceptionally cold winters. In some parts of Canada, the climate is cold and dry, leading to tundra and marsh-like conditions rather than dense forest.
The 60th parallel experiences dramatic seasonal variation in daylight hours. During the summer solstice in June, the sun is visible for over 18 hours, a period that allows for the observation of “white nights” where the sky does not achieve full darkness. Conversely, the winter solstice in December brings very short days, with the sun visible for less than six hours. This light cycle influences the region’s ecosystems, dictating plant growth cycles and animal migration patterns.