The Arctic Circle is one of the five major circles of
latitude that mark maps of the Earth. This is the parallel of latitude that runs 66° 33'
38" north of the Equator. Everything north of this circle is known as the Arctic,
and the zone just to the south of this circle is the Northern Temperate Zone.
The Arctic Circle marks the southern extremity of the polar day of the summer solstice and the
polar night of the winter solstice. Within the Arctic Circle, the arctic Sun is above the
horizon for at least 24 continuous hours per
year, in conjunction with the Arctic's Summer Solstice. Likewise, in conjunction with the Arctic's Winter Solstice, the Arctic sun will be below the horizon for at least 24 continuous hours.
Due to precession, the Arctic Circle fluctuates within a band of 250
kilometres, moving by about half a kilometre in one year.
Countries which have significant territory within the arctic circle include:
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Arctic Circle Restaurants is also the
name of a Utah-based regional chain of restaurants that sell burgers and shakes, famous for
inventing "fry sauce."
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