The equator is the part of the Earth that gets the most sunlight throughout the year, so the sun plays a huge part in why people who live near the equator have darker skin.
ADVERTISEMENT
Why people living near the Equator have darker skin
Skin colour evolved to help people survive in different climates.
Why do people living near the Equator have darker skin [BoredPanda]
Recommended articles
![Is your laptop camera spying on you? [Lifewire]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'100'%20height%3D'100'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Is your laptop camera spying on you? [Lifewire]")
This area gets more direct sunlight because it’s closest to the sun. With so much sun exposure, the human body has to find ways to protect itself from the harmful effects of the sun.
One of the main dangers of too much sun is ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV rays can cause skin damage and even lead to skin cancer. However, the body has a natural way to protect itself: melanin.
What is melanin?
ADVERTISEMENT
Melanin is a special pigment found in our skin, and it gives skin its colour. The more melanin you have, the darker your skin will be. Melanin isn’t just for looks—it helps protect your skin from the sun's UV rays.
This is why people who live near the equator, where the sun is very strong, have evolved to have more melanin in their skin. Over time, having darker skin became an advantage for people living in these regions because it helped protect them from sunburn and skin cancer.
![Having darker skin became an advantage for people living in these regions [Emito.net]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'790'%20height%3D'445'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Having darker skin became an advantage for people living in these regions [Emito.net]")
Having darker skin became an advantage for people living in these regions [Emito.net]
Pulse Nigeria
In areas farther away from the equator, the sun isn’t as strong. This means that people who live in places with less sun exposure, like in northern Europe or parts of Asia, don’t need as much melanin in their skin. Over time, these populations developed lighter skin.
Why skin color varies
ADVERTISEMENT
Skin colour has adapted to the amount of sunlight people are exposed to. Near the equator, where sunlight is intense, people develop darker skin to protect themselves from UV rays. In contrast, in places where sunlight is weaker, people have lighter skin, which helps them absorb more sunlight to produce vitamin D, an essential nutrient for strong bones and overall health.
ALSO READ: 6 countries with darkest skins and why
This content was created with the help of an AI model and verified by the writer.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
Recommended articles
5 causes of ovulation pain and how to find relief
How to know if your ex is still stalking your social media
Is your laptop camera spying on you? Here's why you should always cover it
3 reasons never to leave your toothbrush in the bathroom
This is the richest city in the world; it’s worth more than 25 times Nigeria’s GDP
Honouring Nigeria's Finest: Top Highlights from Indomie Heroes Awards 2024
5 foods that keep your stomach full for longer
Unraveling the fabric of fair compensation for fashion and textile industries workers at the BRICS+ Fashion Summit 2024
5 safest countries in the world you can visit
Who nailed it? Rating 5 Ayra Starr makeup recreation
5 Indoor birthday shoot ideas you can do yourself
Nasarawa teacher, Ifechukwu emerges 2024 Maltina Teacher of the Year…wins ₦10m prize
Pulse Sports
CAF releases statement as Nigeria’s Super Eagles remain stranded in Libya
‘He no go stop'- Osimhen tells Boniface after another poor Super Eagles performance
Where is Sha'Carri Richardson? Olympic star resurfaces with endearing photo and inspiration from her grandmother's museum
Libyan authorities hold Super Eagles, officials hostage at the Al Abaq airport in Al Abaq
Ex-Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham desperate to return to Nigeria after rejecting Super Eagles
Super Eagles 1-0 Libya: Nigerians compare Fisayo Dele-Bashiru to legend Jay-Jay Okocha
Nigeria vs Libya: Fisayo is the new Okocha, another Boniface stinker among 3 things we learnt from Super Eagles triumph
Super Eagles star Victor Boniface matches Okocha’s record
Naija stars abroad: Boniface shines in disappointment as Okoye makes Super Eagles starting claim
ADVERTISEMENT
![How to exfoliate your underarms [TrulyBeauty]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'300'%20height%3D'172'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "How to exfoliate your underarms [TrulyBeauty]")