The 38th Parallel North is a circle of latitude that is 38 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane. It is significant for its historical role as the boundary between North and South Korea after World War II. This line was established in 1945 to divide the Korean Peninsula into two zones of occupation. The parallel runs through several countries, including Japan, China, and Turkey. It is also notable for its geographical features, passing through various landscapes such as mountains and plains. The 38th Parallel has become a symbol of the division and ongoing tensions between the two Koreas.