<P> The doldrums is a colloquial expression derived from historical maritime usage , which refers to those parts of the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean affected by a low - pressure area around the equator where the prevailing winds are calm . The doldrums are also noted for calm periods when the winds disappear altogether , trapping sailing ships for periods of days or weeks . The term appears to have arisen in the eighteenth century , when trans - equator sailing voyages became more common . Since this zone is where two trade winds meet , it is also called the Intertropical Convergence Zone . They roughly lie between latitudes 5 ° north and south . </P>
<P> The doldrums is a colloquial expression derived from historical maritime usage , which refers to those parts of the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean affected by a low - pressure area around the equator where the prevailing winds are calm . The doldrums are also noted for calm periods when the winds disappear altogether , trapping sailing ships for periods of days or weeks . The term appears to have arisen in the eighteenth century , when trans - equator sailing voyages became more common . Since this zone is where two trade winds meet , it is also called the Intertropical Convergence Zone . They roughly lie between latitudes 5 ° north and south . </P>
area near the equator where winds die out
area near the equator where winds die out
The doldrums
The doldrums