![The Arctic Circle is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. As of 16 February 2015, it runs 66°33′45.6″ north of the Equator.
The region north of this circle is known as the Arctic, and the zone just to the south is called the Northern Temperate Zone. The equivalent polar circle in the Southern Hemisphere is called the Antarctic Circle.
The Arctic Circle is the southernmost latitude in the Northern Hemisphere at which the sun can remain continuously above or below the horizon for 24 hours (at the June solstice and December solstice respectively). North of the Arctic Circle, the sun is above the horizon for 24 continuous hours at least once per year (and therefore visible at midnight) and below the horizon for 24 continuous hours at least once per year (and therefore not visible at noon). On the Arctic Circle those events occur, in principle, exactly once per year, at the June and December solstices, respectively. However, in practice, because of atmospheric refraction and mirages, and because the sun appears as a disk and not a point, part of the midnight sun may be seen on the night of the northern summer solstice up to about 50′ (90 km (56 mi)) south of the Arctic Circle; similarly, on the day of the northern winter solstice, part of the sun may be seen up to about 50′ north of the Arctic Circle. That is true at sea level; those limits increase with elevation above sea level, although in mountainous regions there is often no direct view of the true horizon.
The position of the Arctic Circle is not fixed. It directly depends on the Earth's axial tilt, which fluctuates within a margin of 2° over a 40,000-year period,[2] notably due to tidal forces resulting from the orbit of the Moon. The Arctic Circle is currently drifting northwards at a speed of about 15 m (49 ft) per year; see Circle of latitude for more information.
#snow](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6140564/a9f9449e-bab4-40a6-a9a1-5356b0cc2aa8.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1200&h=500&q=medium)
Photo by Sharrie Shaw
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Aspen Extended Stay Suites Kenai
Kenai
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (704)
"super place to stay"
lynn
The price is 2.640.681 ₫
2.799.121 ₫ total
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14 Dec - 15 Dec
Quality Inn Kenai
Kenai
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (563)
"Staff was very helpful and the place is very clean and it felt safe. "
John
The price is 2.640.682 ₫
2.799.122 ₫ total
includes taxes & fees
30 Nov - 1 Dec
Alaska Angler's Inn
Soldotna
8.0 out of 10, Very good, (299)
"Affordable nice place to stay"
James
Best Western King Salmon Inn
Soldotna
8.2 out of 10, Very good, (377)
"Great staff...."
CHAD
The price is 2.586.376 ₫
2.845.014 ₫ total
includes taxes & fees
26 Nov - 27 Nov
The Kenai Inn
Kenai
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (48)
"Clean room, easy check in, close shopping for walking, quiet and felt safe"
Jay
The price is 2.746.498 ₫
2.911.288 ₫ total
includes taxes & fees
24 Nov - 25 Nov
Aspen Hotel Soldotna
Soldotna
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (791)
"lots of shops and restaraunts nearby"
Gordon
The price is 2.806.762 ₫
3.087.437 ₫ total
includes taxes & fees
14 Dec - 15 Dec
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![The Arctic Circle is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. As of 16 February 2015, it runs 66°33′45.6″ north of the Equator.
The region north of this circle is known as the Arctic, and the zone just to the south is called the Northern Temperate Zone. The equivalent polar circle in the Southern Hemisphere is called the Antarctic Circle.
The Arctic Circle is the southernmost latitude in the Northern Hemisphere at which the sun can remain continuously above or below the horizon for 24 hours (at the June solstice and December solstice respectively). North of the Arctic Circle, the sun is above the horizon for 24 continuous hours at least once per year (and therefore visible at midnight) and below the horizon for 24 continuous hours at least once per year (and therefore not visible at noon). On the Arctic Circle those events occur, in principle, exactly once per year, at the June and December solstices, respectively. However, in practice, because of atmospheric refraction and mirages, and because the sun appears as a disk and not a point, part of the midnight sun may be seen on the night of the northern summer solstice up to about 50′ (90 km (56 mi)) south of the Arctic Circle; similarly, on the day of the northern winter solstice, part of the sun may be seen up to about 50′ north of the Arctic Circle. That is true at sea level; those limits increase with elevation above sea level, although in mountainous regions there is often no direct view of the true horizon.
The position of the Arctic Circle is not fixed. It directly depends on the Earth's axial tilt, which fluctuates within a margin of 2° over a 40,000-year period,[2] notably due to tidal forces resulting from the orbit of the Moon. The Arctic Circle is currently drifting northwards at a speed of about 15 m (49 ft) per year; see Circle of latitude for more information.
#snow](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6140564/a9f9449e-bab4-40a6-a9a1-5356b0cc2aa8.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=675&p=1&q=high)
Photo by Sharrie Shaw
Open Photo by Sharrie Shaw
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