Which geographic location is closest to the Ascension Islands?

The Ascension Islands are located in the South Atlantic Ocean, approximately 1,000 miles from the coast of Africa and around 1,400 miles from the coast of Brazil. They lie just south of the equator at a latitude of about 7 degrees south. Therefore, the correct answer is near the equator, as this option accurately reflects the geographic proximity of the Ascension Islands to that line of latitude.

In contrast, the other geographical options provided do not align with the location of the Ascension Islands. The Arctic Circle refers to the high northern latitudes where it is predominantly cold, making it far removed from the tropical context of the Ascension Islands. Similarly, the Antarctic Peninsula represents a region in the far south, which is much further than the Ascension Islands. Lastly, the Mediterranean Sea is located in a completely different geographical realm, predominantly in Southern Europe and North Africa, and does not relate to the Atlantic context of the Ascension Islands. Thus, the proximity to the equator is the defining reason why this answer is the most accurate.