International Day of the Tropics

International Day of the Tropics History

The International Day of the Tropics is celebrated annually on June 29th to raise awareness about the unique challenges and opportunities faced by countries located within the Tropics. The Tropics are defined as the area between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, where the sun is directly overhead at least once during the year. South Africa has a rich biodiversity of over 23,000 plant species, of which approximately 10% are found nowhere else in the world. The country also has a diverse population of wildlife, including the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros).

The United Nations designated International Day of the Tropics in 2016 on the recommendation of the State of Queensland in Australia. The Day aims to promote sustainable development in the Tropics, build resilience, and encourage collaboration between tropical regions worldwide. South Africa, located in the southern part of the Tropics, participates in the annual celebration of the International Day of the Tropics. It is an opportunity to showcase the country's unique tropical flora and fauna, promote sustainable tourism, and highlight the importance of conserving the natural environment.

Through various events and awareness campaigns, South Africa celebrates the International Day of the Tropics to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the country's unique tropical environment and promoting sustainable development. The International Day of the Tropics is observed annually on June 29th.

International Day of the Tropics facts

• According to the UN, almost half of the world's population lives in the Tropics.
• More than 80% of the world's biodiversity lives in the Tropics.
• The State of the Tropics Report pointed out an interesting fact that by the late 2040s, the Tropics will be more populous than the rest of the world combined.
• Various cash crops, including citrus, bananas, sugarcane, avocados, and mangoes, are grown in the tropical areas of South Africa.
• The tropical regions of South Africa are home to various cultural, ethnic, and linguistic groups, including the Venda and Tsonga people.

In the News and Trending in South Africa for International Day of the Tropics

Top things to do in South Africa for this observance

• Read a first-hand account about Carmen Rodríguez and her family's efforts to preserve Colombia's tropical dry forest.
• Browse the 2020 report on the state of the tropics. It covers a wide variety of topics including the environment, human impact, and the application of science and technology.
• Watch The Endless Summer (1966) - A documentary about two American surfers who travel the globe in search of the perfect wave, focusing on the tropics and the warm waters of South Africa.
• Read a book to learn more about the tropics in South Africa. Here are some suggestions:
  1. Fynbos: Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation of a Megadiverse Region edited by Nicky Allsopp, Jonathan F. Colville, and G. Anthony Verboom.
  2. The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland by L. Mucina and M. C. Rutherford
  3. Wildlife of Southern Africa: A Field Guide to the Animals and Plants of the Region by Vincent Carruthers