<P> The position of the Arctic Circle is not fixed ; as of 9 January 2018 , it runs 66 ° 33 ′ 47.0 '' north of the Equator . Its latitude depends on the Earth 's axial tilt , which fluctuates within a margin of 2 ° over a 40,000 - year period , due to tidal forces resulting from the orbit of the Moon . Consequently , the Arctic Circle is currently drifting northwards at a speed of about 15 metres ( 49 feet ) per year . </P>
where is the arctic circle located on a world map
66 ° 33 ′ 47.0 '' north of the Equator