52N

52N, or the 52nd parallel north, is a circle of latitude that lies 52 degrees north of the Earth's equator. As a geographic reference, it is one of many lines used to define positions on the globe and to organize maps and navigation.

Geography and path. The line circles the Earth and crosses multiple regions in Europe, the Arctic, and North America, intersecting oceans and continental landmasses along its route. In Europe the latitude passes through parts of western and northern regions, where climates shift from maritime to more continental styles. In North America, the 52nd parallel runs through the central boreal and prairie zones, and in the Arctic it approaches high-latitude environments. The exact land and sea areas touched depend on longitude, since a circle of latitude is the same distance from the equator everywhere but travels across different landscapes as it wraps around the globe.

Climate and ecology. At 52N, climates commonly feature cool winters and mild to warm summers, with significant regional variation driven by proximity to oceans, elevation, and continental effects. Coastal segments tend to be moderated by marine influences, while inland sections experience greater temperature swings. Vegetation transitions from temperate forests in some regions to boreal or steppe-like ecosystems elsewhere.

Applications and significance. Parallels like 52N serve as navigational and cartographic references, aiding in map reading, regional planning, and meteorological analysis. They are also used in cultural and historical contexts to describe the geographic framing of landscapes and settlements.

See also: parallels north, 51N, 53N.