Which part of the earth's surface receives more direct, intense solar radiation?

Question

Which part of the earth's surface receives more direct, intense solar radiation?

Answer 1

Over a year's time, the area between the Tropic of Cancer (approximately 23.5 degrees north) and the Tropic of Capricorn (approximately 23.5 degrees south).  That is the only area on earth that receives sunlight at a 90 degree angle.

For a smaller increment of time, it would depend on the time of the year.  About June 21-22, it would be any place along the Tropic of Cancer.  On December 21-the Tropic of Capricorn.

Answer 2

Whichever part is directly under the sun (vertical) and at higher altitude so there is less atmosphere blocking the rays.   Lower humidity also has lower blocking potential.

Answer 3

Latitudes north and south corresponding to the Sahara Desert.

Answer 4

High Alpine mountains near the equator receive most direct, intense solar radiation. For example, plants of Alpine East Africa, Borneo, Irian Jaya Mountains of New Guinea etc. have evolved to survive harsh weather conditions and intense ultraviolet solar radiation, that is not completely filtered by the thin Ozone layer and clearer air at high altitude.

Read: "Solar Ultraviolet on Tropical Mountains: Can It Affect Plant Speciation? David W. Lee and J. Brian Lowry, 1980. The American Naturalist, Vol. 115(6), 880-883"

Answer 5

Mike 1942 is correct. That area lies between both tropics, Cancer (23º27´North and Capricornio 23º 27´South.  DIRECT solar radiation "sweeps" that area along the year, due to earth axis inclination.

Esteban 1942 [e-mail]