The tropics are the warm regions of Earth located near the equator, between two imaginary lines called the Tropic of Cancer (north of the equator) and the Tropic of Capricorn (south of it). If you've ever seen a globe or world map with lines running across it horizontally, these tropics mark the boundaries of the hottest zone on our planet.

Countries in the tropics, like Brazil, Thailand, Kenya, and Indonesia, stay warm year-round because the sun's rays hit this part of Earth most directly. There's no real winter as we know it in temperate zones. Instead of four distinct seasons, tropical regions typically have wet and dry seasons. The consistent warmth and abundant rainfall create perfect conditions for lush rainforests, diverse wildlife, and vibrant ecosystems.

The word tropical describes anything from or characteristic of these regions: tropical fruits like mangoes and pineapples, tropical storms that form over warm ocean waters, or tropical fish that need heated aquariums to survive. When someone dreams of a tropical vacation, they're imagining palm trees, warm beaches, and endless sunshine.

The tropics are home to more than half of all plant and animal species on Earth, packed into about 40 percent of the planet's land area.