37th parallel north

The 37th parallel north, also referred to as the Paranormal Highway, is a circle of latitude that is 37 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane. This latitude crosses Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, Africa, Asia, the Pacific Ocean, North America, and the Atlantic Ocean. While scientifically significant for solar irradiance and the northernmost viewing point of the star Canopus, it is also notable for a high concentration of UAP sightings, paranormal activity, and cryptid reports, particularly in the United States.

37°

37th parallel north

Solar and Astronomical Features

At this latitude, the Sun is visible for 14 hours, 42 minutes during the summer solstice and 9 hours, 37 minutes during the winter solstice.^[1] The 37th parallel is roughly the northern limit of the visibility of Canopus, the second-brightest star in the night sky. Additionally, along with the 37th parallel south, this latitude experiences solar irradiance close to the planetary average.^[2]

Paranormal and Mysterious Events

The 37th parallel is often associated with unexplained phenomena and has been dubbed "UFO Alley" due to the large number of sightings reported along its path. Below are notable regions and events connected to this latitude:

Skinwalker Ranch, Utah

Located near the 37th parallel, Skinwalker Ranch is one of the world's most studied paranormal hotspots. Reported phenomena include:

• Frequent UFO sightings
• Mysterious glowing orbs
• Livestock mutilations with no clear cause
• Poltergeist activity and unexplainable electromagnetic anomalies

The term "Skinwalker" derives from Navajo legend and refers to shapeshifting witches believed to roam the area.

Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite is not only known for its natural beauty but also for its eerie mysteries. Reports include:

• Unexplained disappearances of hikers and climbers
• UFO sightings near Half Dome and El Capitan
• Cryptid encounters, particularly reports of the "Sierra Sasquatch"
• Glowing lights observed in the Yosemite Valley during clear nights

Central California Coast

Residents of San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties have reported frequent UFO activity over the ocean, particularly:

• The 2015 "Central Coast Lights," where witnesses described a glowing object moving erratically across the sky, was initially explained as a "missile test".
• Cryptid sightings in Monterey Bay, potentially linked to deep-sea creatures yet to be classified.

Area 51 and Nevada

One of the most famous locations along the 37th parallel is Area 51 in Nevada. Conspiracy theories suggest that the site is a hub for:

• Reverse engineering of alien technology
• Testing of advanced, secretive aircraft
• Sightings of triangular UFOs and strange lights

Additionally, nearby Walker Lake has its own mystery: the "Walker Lake Beast," an alleged cryptid described as a giant, aquatic creature.

Global Mysteries

Unexplained events linked to the 37th parallel include:

• **Göbekli Tepe, Turkey:** An ancient archaeological site, often theorized to be evidence of advanced prehistoric civilizations.
• **Japan:** Reports of humanoid figures and glowing anomalies in the waters off Honshu Island.
• **Sierra Nevada, Spain:** Residents report phantom figures and strange sounds in the mountain range.

United States

The 37th parallel defining borders between states in the United States.

Exit Point of the 37th Parallel North from the United States.

In the United States, the 37th parallel defines the southern borders of Utah, Colorado, and Kansas, and the northern borders of Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. The line was historically significant in the creation of territories following the Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854 and served as the southern boundary of the extralegal Territory of Jefferson.

U.S. Landmarks located on or in close proximity of the 37th parallel include:

• Santa Cruz, California – Located on the exact entry point into the U.S. at Bonny Doon Beach.
• Yosemite National Park — Situated in close proximity, just north of the 37th parallel.
• Death Valley – The 37th parallel runs approximately 1,300 ft south of the Little Hebe Crater rim and approximately 1,900 ft south of the larger Ubehebe Crater rim, a crater that's 800 meters (2,600 ft) wide and 235 meters (771 ft) deep.
• Area 51, Nevada — Also known as "Groom Lake".
• Four Corners, the only point where four U.S. states meet.
• Cairo, Illinois – The southernmost city in Illinois.
• Bowling Green, Kentucky
• Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel – A critical maritime and transportation structure.

Around the world

Coordinates	Country, territory, or sea	Notes
37°0′N 0°0′E	Prime Meridian	Initial reference point.
37°0′N 6°15′E	Algeria	Passes through several coastal regions.
37°0′N 6°34′E	Mediterranean Sea	Overlaps with key maritime routes.
37°0′N 7°33′E	Mediterranean Sea	Adjacent to Algeria.
37°0′N 8°52′E	Tunisia	Includes the Gulf of Tunis region.
37°0′N 14°20′E	Italy	Passes through the island of Sicily.
37°0′N 21°39′E	Greece	Crosses the Peloponnese Peninsula.
37°0′N 44°16′E	Turkey	Covers the Şemdinli district briefly.
37°0′N 54°0′E	Iran	Intersects with significant cultural landmarks.
37°0′N 126°20′E	South Korea	Major cities like Anseong and Pyeongtaek fall on this line.
37°0′N 137°42′E	Japan	Crosses through Honshu Island, including Niigata Prefecture.
Enters at 37°0′N 122°10.91′W and exits at 37°N 76.311838°W / 37; -76.311838	United States	Enters the U.S. just north of Santa Cruz, California and exits the U.S. at the southernmost end of Fort Monroe, Virginia.
37°0′N 25°10′W	Portugal	Includes Santa Maria Island in the Azores.

See Also

• 38th parallel north
• Ley lines
• Skinwalker Ranch

References

1. "Duration of Daylight/Darkness Table for One Year". U.S. Naval Observatory. 2019-09-24.
2. See Nadeau, Alice and McGhee, Richard; ‘A simple formula for a planet's mean annual insolation by latitude’; Icarus, volume 291, 15 July 2017, pp. 46-50

External Links

• Skinwalker Ranch Official Website
• Yosemite National Park Official Website