Tropic of Cancer Monument, Geographical marker in Shuishang Township, Taiwan
The Tropic of Cancer Monument is a concrete structure in Shuishang Township marking the latitude of 23.45 degrees North, where the sun reaches its northernmost point during summer. The site sits at a geographical line that divides Taiwan into distinct climate zones.
The monument was built in 1908 during Japanese colonial rule to commemorate the completion of Taiwan's north-south railway connection. This line became a symbol of the infrastructure that unified the island.
The monument serves as a reference point where locals and visitors notice the shift between northern and tropical landscapes, reflecting how geography shapes daily life and farming practices. People recognize this location as a boundary where weather patterns, plants, and rural traditions visibly change.
The monument sits along a main road and is reachable by car via the Shuishang Exit, followed by local routes. Visit on a clear day when the sun and shadows are most visible.
On the summer solstice at noon, people standing at this monument cast no shadows because the sun sits directly overhead. This rare phenomenon occurs at only a few locations on Earth.
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