37th parallel north

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37°
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37th parallel north
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The 37th parallel north, also referred to as the Paranormal Highway, is a circle of latitude that is 37 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane. This latitude crosses Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, Africa, Asia, the Pacific Ocean, North America, and the Atlantic Ocean. While scientifically significant for solar irradiance and the northernmost viewing point of the star Canopus, it is also notable for a high concentration of UAP sightings, paranormal activity, and cryptid reports, particularly in the United States.

Solar and Astronomical Features

At this latitude, the Sun is visible for 14 hours, 42 minutes during the summer solstice and 9 hours, 37 minutes during the winter solstice.[1] The 37th parallel is roughly the northern limit of the visibility of Canopus, the second-brightest star in the night sky. Additionally, along with the 37th parallel south, this latitude experiences solar irradiance close to the planetary average.[2]


Paranormal and Mysterious Events

The 37th parallel is often associated with unexplained phenomena and has been dubbed "UFO Alley" due to the large number of sightings reported along its path. Below are notable regions and events connected to this latitude:

Skinwalker Ranch, Utah

Located near the 37th parallel, Skinwalker Ranch is one of the world's most studied paranormal hotspots. Reported phenomena include:

The term "Skinwalker" derives from Navajo legend and refers to shapeshifting witches believed to roam the area.

Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite is not only known for its natural beauty but also for its eerie mysteries. Reports include:

  • Unexplained disappearances of hikers and climbers
  • UFO sightings near Half Dome and El Capitan
  • Cryptid encounters, particularly reports of the "Sierra Sasquatch"
  • Glowing lights observed in the Yosemite Valley during clear nights

Central California Coast

Residents of San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties have reported frequent UFO activity over the ocean, particularly:

  • The 2015 "Central Coast Lights," where witnesses described a glowing object moving erratically across the sky, was initially explained as a "missile test".
  • Cryptid sightings in Monterey Bay, potentially linked to deep-sea creatures yet to be classified.

Area 51 and Nevada

One of the most famous locations along the 37th parallel is Area 51 in Nevada. Conspiracy theories suggest that the site is a hub for:

  • Reverse engineering of alien technology
  • Testing of advanced, secretive aircraft
  • Sightings of triangular UFOs and strange lights

Additionally, nearby Walker Lake has its own mystery: the "Walker Lake Beast," an alleged cryptid described as a giant, aquatic creature.

Global Mysteries

Unexplained events linked to the 37th parallel include:

United States

The 37th parallel defining borders between states in the United States.
Exit Point of the 37th Parallel North from the United States.

In the United States, the 37th parallel defines the southern borders of Utah, Colorado, and Kansas, and the northern borders of Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. The line was historically significant in the creation of territories following the Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854 and served as the southern boundary of the extralegal Territory of Jefferson.

U.S. Landmarks located on or in close proximity of the 37th parallel include:


Around the world

Coordinates Country, territory, or sea Notes
37°0′N 0°0′E / 37.000°N 0.000°E / 37.000; 0.000 Prime Meridian Initial reference point.
37°0′N 6°15′E / 37.000°N 6.250°E / 37.000; 6.250 Algeria Passes through several coastal regions.
37°0′N 6°34′E / 37.000°N 6.567°E / 37.000; 6.567 Mediterranean Sea Overlaps with key maritime routes.
37°0′N 7°33′E / 37.000°N 7.550°E / 37.000; 7.550 Mediterranean Sea Adjacent to Algeria.
37°0′N 8°52′E / 37.000°N 8.867°E / 37.000; 8.867 Tunisia Includes the Gulf of Tunis region.
37°0′N 14°20′E / 37.000°N 14.333°E / 37.000; 14.333 Italy Passes through the island of Sicily.
37°0′N 21°39′E / 37.000°N 21.650°E / 37.000; 21.650 Greece Crosses the Peloponnese Peninsula.
37°0′N 44°16′E / 37.000°N 44.267°E / 37.000; 44.267 Turkey Covers the Şemdinli district briefly.
37°0′N 54°0′E / 37.000°N 54.000°E / 37.000; 54.000 Iran Intersects with significant cultural landmarks.
37°0′N 126°20′E / 37.000°N 126.333°E / 37.000; 126.333 South Korea Major cities like Anseong and Pyeongtaek fall on this line.
37°0′N 137°42′E / 37.000°N 137.700°E / 37.000; 137.700 Japan Crosses through Honshu Island, including Niigata Prefecture.
Enters at 37°0′N 122°10.91′W / 37.000°N 122.18183°W / 37.000; -122.18183 and exits at 37°00′00″N 76°18′43″W / 37°N 76.311838°W / 37; -76.311838 United States Enters the U.S. just north of Santa Cruz, California and exits the U.S. at the southernmost end of Fort Monroe, Virginia.
37°0′N 25°10′W / 37.000°N 25.167°W / 37.000; -25.167 Portugal Includes Santa Maria Island in the Azores.

See Also

References

  1. ^ "Duration of Daylight/Darkness Table for One Year". U.S. Naval Observatory. 2019-09-24.
  2. ^ See Nadeau, Alice and McGhee, Richard; ‘A simple formula for a planet's mean annual insolation by latitude’; Icarus, volume 291, 15 July 2017, pp. 46-50