Which major line of latitude crosses the Sahara Desert?

The Tropic of Cancer crosses the Sahara Desert. This line of latitude lies at about 23.5 degrees north and marks the northernmost latitude where the Sun can appear directly overhead at noon.

It passes through several Sahara countries, including Western Sahara, Mauritania, Mali, Algeria, Niger, Libya and Egypt. Its position is not perfectly fixed because Earth’s axial tilt changes slowly over time.

The Sahara’s location near the Tropic of Cancer helps explain its persistent dryness. Air rises near the Equator, loses moisture, and then descends in the subtropics, creating high pressure and generally clear skies. The desert is not dry solely because of the tropic, however; ocean currents, distance from moisture sources and mountain effects also matter.

The Tropic of Cancer is often confused with the Equator, which lies much farther south and does not cross the Sahara.