The 17th parallel is a circle of latitude that is 17 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane. It is significant in history as it served as a dividing line during the Vietnam War, separating North Vietnam and South Vietnam. This division was established in the 1954 Geneva Accords and was intended to be temporary until elections could be held. The parallel runs through several countries in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. It also crosses the Pacific Ocean, making it an important reference point for geographical and political discussions in the region.