It stands one-third of the way between the equator and the North Pole and crosses Africa, Asia, the Pacific Ocean, North America, and the Atlantic Ocean.
The parallel is used in some contexts to delineate Europe or what is associated with the continent of Europe as a southernmost limit, e.g. to qualify for membership of the European Broadcasting Union.
It is the approximate southern border of the horse latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, meaning that much of the land area touching the 30th parallel is arid or semi-arid.
If there is a source of wind from a body of water the area would more likely be humid subtropical.
[citation needed] At this latitude: Starting at the Prime Meridian and heading eastwards, the parallel 30° north passes through: