Tropengürtels

The Tropengürtels (German: Tropengürtel), commonly known in English as the tropical belt or simply the tropics, is the region of Earth surrounding the Equator bounded by the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere (approximately 23.5°N) and the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere (approximately 23.5°S). This zone receives the most direct sunlight over the course of the year, leading to generally warm temperatures and relatively small seasonal temperature variation compared with higher latitudes.

Climatic conditions in the tropics vary from humid tropical rainforests with high annual precipitation to tropical savannas with distinct wet and dry seasons, and include monsoon climates and some arid subtropical areas. The combination of consistent warmth and, in many areas, abundant moisture supports very high levels of primary productivity and biodiversity. Tropical rainforests, coral reefs, mangroves and savannas are among the most ecologically significant ecosystems within the belt.

Human populations in the Tropengürtels are diverse and dense in many regions, with agriculture adapted to local climates—including perennial crops like cocoa, coffee, rubber and tropical fruits—as well as shifting cultivation and intensive farming. The tropical belt faces environmental pressures from deforestation, habitat loss, overexploitation of resources and climate change, which threaten biodiversity and regional livelihoods. Conservation and sustainable management efforts are key to preserving the ecological and socioeconomic value of the Tropengürtels.