Tropical countries are nations that are found in the tropics, a region that is located along the Earth’s Equator. More specifically, it is the countries that are located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. The tropics make up about 40% of the surface area of the planet and is home to approximately 40% of the world’s population. This number is expected to continue to grow into the future, and it is estimated that 50% of the world’s population will reside in the tropics by the late 2030s.
Tropical countries typically have a tropical climate, which means that it is warm all year long. Most nations have a dry season and a wet season when most of the annual rainfall occurs. However, not all nations located in the tropics have a tropical climate. Regions including the Sahara Desert and Australian Outback – both of which are located within the tropics – are classified as “dry.” Ecosystems in tropical countries may be very diverse, including tropical rainforests, dry forests, and deserts.
There are multiple tropical countries and territories located on continents around the world. These include: