The
51st parallel north is a
circle of latitude that is 51
degrees north of the
Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses
Europe,
Asia, the
Pacific Ocean,
North America, and the
Atlantic Ocean. At this latitude the
sun is visible for 16 hours, 33 minutes during the
summer solstice and 7 hours, 55 minutes during the
winter solstice. Capital cities between the 51st and 52nd parallels are
London and
Astana.
Russian America 1799–1824/25 In 1799
Paul I, Tsar of the
Russian Empire, issued a
ukase creating the
Russian-American Company (RAC). It was granted monopolistic control north of the
55th parallel north, which had been the Russian claim since 1790, as well as the right to operate and occupy territory to the south as long as the lands had not been previously occupied, or dependent on any other nation. In 1821 the RAC's charter was renewed and at the same time an
ukase proclaimed that Russian sovereignty extended south to the 51st parallel, and that waters north of that line were closed to foreign shipping. The
ukase was met with strong objections by the United States and Great Britain. Subsequent negotiations resulted in a clear and permanent boundary for
Russian America, the southward terminus of which was established at
54°40′ north.
Around the world Starting at the
Prime Meridian (just north of the
Sheffield Park Garden in
East Sussex,
England) and heading eastwards, the parallel 51° north passes through: :
Notable cities and towns on 51°N ==52nd parallel north==