In pictures: What is summer solstice and how is it celebrated around the world?

Summer solstice is here! 

But what is it all about and how do people celebrate the solstice around the world? 

The event marks the longest day of the year and the astronomical start of summer. 

In the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice takes place between 20 - 22 June each year. This year it falls on Tuesday, with the UK enjoying 16 hours and 43 minutes of daylight.

The word solstice derives from the Latin "sol" (sun) and "sistere" (to stand still). 

People around the world have long celebrated the occasion with a variety of wonderful cultural festivals and activities.

For the majority of cultures, the day involves enjoying sumptuous feasts, lighting bonfires, singing and dancing to traditional songs, and reconnecting with nature. 

Here's a look at some of the most interesting summer solstice traditions from around the world. 

One of the oldest and most well-known summer solstice celebrations takes place at Wiltshire's world-famous stone circle, Stonehenge. 

Each year thousands of druids, pagans and ordinary folk gather to admire the spectacular views of the sunrise over the sacred site.

Incredibly, the historic stones align perfectly with the movement of the sun.

If you stand in the centre of the monument, you can see the sunrise just to the left of a large standing stone outside the stone circle, known as the Heel Stone. 

The purpose of the spectacular boulder formations may still be cloaked in mystery, but they certainly serve as the perfect backdrop for a phenomenal solstice celebration. 

No other country does the summer solstice quite like the Swedes.

In Sweden, the day of celebrations is known as 'midsummer'. It is most commonly celebrated in the Swedish countryside, in places such as Dalarna, Riksgränsen and the country's