What is the 39th parallel?

The 39th parallel is a circle of latitude that is 39 degrees north of the Earth's equator. It runs through countries such as the United States, China, North Korea, Japan, Turkey, Greece, and Italy.

In the United States, the 39th parallel is significant for its association with the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which established it as the southern boundary of Missouri and prohibited slavery north of it.

In East Asia, the 39th parallel is known as the "Demilitarized Zone" (DMZ) as it is the boundary between North and South Korea, with a 2.5-mile-wide (4 km) stretch on either side being recognized as a buffer zone where no weapons are allowed.

In Turkey, the 39th parallel is significant as it is the latitude where the European and Asian continents meet, and it passes through the city of Istanbul.

Overall, the 39th parallel has both historical and geographical significance, intersecting with numerous countries, cultures, and political boundaries.