Small circle
Topic: Latitude, Longitude and Time · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 3 "Latitude, Longitude and Time"
Meaning
A small circle is any circle on the globe whose plane does not pass through the earth's centre. It cuts the earth into two unequal parts. Every parallel of latitude except the equator is a small circle. These circles get smaller towards the poles, where they shrink to a point.
Example
The Tropic of Cancer (23½°N) is a small circle. It passes through the middle of India, across states such as Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.
Don't confuse with
- Great circle: its plane passes through the earth's centre, so it cuts the earth into two equal halves. The equator is a great circle, and so is any meridian joined with its opposite meridian. The arc of a great circle is the shortest route between two points.