Climatology: Climatic Regions of the World

Hot, Wet Equatorial Climate

• Distribution
  • 50o North – 100o South from the equator.
  • It is found in the Amazon basin, Congo basin, and South – East Asia.
• Climate
  • There is great uniformity of temperature throughout the year.
  • The mean monthly temperature is between 24o to 27ºC.
  • There is no winter.
  • The diurnal and annual range of temperature is small.
  • Precipitation is heavy and well-distributed throughout the year.
• Natural Vegetation
  • It supports a luxuriant type of vegetation with heavy undergrowth which include epiphytic and parasitic plants.
  • The Amazon tropical rain forest is known as Selvas.
  • Trees of a single species are very scarce in such vegetation.
  • Major species are mahogany, and ebony.
• Wildlife
  • Different types of monkeys and apes.
• Economy
  • The equatorial regions are generally sparsely populated.
  • Primitive people are mainly engaged in shifting cultivation.
  • Plantation agriculture like natural rubber, cocoa and others are also practised.

Savanna or Sudan Climate

• What is it?: Savanna or Sudan climate is a transitional type of climate found between the equatorial forests and trade wind hot deserts.
• Distribution
  • It is located between 5o – 20o latitudes on either side of the equator.
  • It is best developed in Sudan where the dry and wet seasons are most distinct, hence the name – Sudan Climate.
  • The belt includes West African Sudan, and then curves southwards into East Africa and southern Africa, north of the Tropic of Capricorn.
  • In South America, there are two distinct regions of savannah located north and south of the equator, namely the llanos of the Orinoco basin and the Campos of the Brazilian Highlands.
• Climate
  • Temperatures range between 20 to 32 degrees centigrade for lowlands, but the range increases as one moves away from the equator.
  • Annual average temperature is around 18 degrees centigrade.
  • The region has alternative wet and dry seasons.
• Vegetation
  • Tall grass and little trees make up much of the local vegetation. ‘Parkland’ or ‘bush-veld’ are other terms for grassland.
  • The trees are of the deciduous variety.
  • Major tree species are Acacia, baobabs, and bottle trees.
• Wildlife
  • Herbivores – zebra, giraffe, elephant, antelope etc.
  • Carnivores – lion, hyena, leopard.
• Economy
  • The region has nomadic pastoralists such as the Masai, who are found in Kenya and Tanzania of Africa. They are dependent on their animal stock for their survival and lead a primitive lifestyle.
  • Settled agriculture is also practised by many tribes such as the Hausa, who have also domesticated animals for their use in crop cultivation.
  • Plantation crops like cotton, sugarcane, oil palm, groundnuts, coffee, and tropical fruits are cultivated.

Tropical Monsoon Climate

• What is it?
  • Monsoon climate, also known as the tropical monsoon climate, is found in the region bounded by the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
  • The region is influenced by the movement of the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and is hot and humid all around the year because the sun remains overhead.
• Distribution
  • They are confined within 5o – 30o latitudes on either side of the equator.
  • Indian subcontinent, Indo-China (Laos. Vietnam, Cambodia), Thailand, southern China and northern Australia are the regions experiencing this climate.
• Climate
  • Average monthly temperature is above 18 degrees centigrade, but in summers the maximum can reach as high as 45 degrees centigrade.
  • Annual average rainfall is around 200-250 cm.
• Natural Vegetation
  • They can be of two types: moist deciduous, where the rainfall exceeds 150 cm, and dry deciduous, where the average annual rainfall is less than 150 cm.
  • Major tree species are sal, teak, neem, and shisham.
• Wildlife
  • Some common monsoon forest animals are monkeys, large cats, parrots, rodents, ground-dwelling birds, and reptiles.
• Economy
  • Major economic activity is agriculture and major crops are
    • In the plains of north India, cereals like rice, wheat, maize etc. are cultivated apart from jute, sugarcane, and spices.
    • In the highlands of south and east India, plantation crops can be found – tea, coffee, rubber, banana etc

Desert Climate

• Hot Deserts
  • Distribution
    • Important hot deserts of the world are situated on the western edges of the continents between latitudes 15o to 30o north and south.
    • Major Hot Deserts – Great Australian Desert, Arabian desert, Kalahari desert, Thar desert, Mohave, Sonoran, Californian, and Mexican deserts.
  • Climate
    • The average summer temperatures are always above 30 degrees centigrade.
    • The hottest temperature to be recorded was in Libya in 1922. The temperatures rose as high as 57 degrees centigrade.
    • Cloudless skies, intense insolation, dry air, and a rapid rate of evaporation are the reasons for such high temperatures.
    • The diurnal temperature range is very high.
    • Average annual precipitation in these regions is not more than 25 cm.
• Mid-Latitude Deserts
  • Distribution
    • They include the Gobi Desert, the Turkestan Desert, the Patagonian Desert etc.
  • Climate
    • The climatic conditions of these deserts are similar to those of the hot deserts.
    • Average annual precipitation does not exceed 25 cm.
• Common Features of Hot Deserts and Mid-Latitude Deserts
  • Vegetation
    • The region has saline soil.
    • The region has thorny vegetation like cactus, grass, scrubs, weeds, etc
    • Adaption of Plants
      • Common adaptations include water storage in stems and leaves, waxy coverings on leaves, shedding leaves, all to minimize water loss.
      • Some have developed long taps roots to be able to reach water tables.
  • Wildlife
    • Common animals are foxes, desert eagles, and camels.
    • Adaptation
      • They are fast runners, long legs, concentrated urine, and have the ability to store water in their body.
  • Economic Activity
    • Nomadic herding, mining etc.

Steppe Climate

• Other Name: The Steppe Climatic region is also known as Temperate Grasslands.
• Distribution
  • Steppes are found in the continental interiors.
  • They are usually found in the temperate latitudes and hence come under the influence of Westerly winds.
  • Steppes are characterized by vast grasslands which are, by and large, devoid of trees.
  • Local regions and names

• Climate
  • The average annual rainfall over the steppes varies from 25 to 75 cm.
  • These regions are under the effect of continentality and hence experience extreme temperatures.
  • Summers are warm with the average temperature in the range of 18-20 degrees centigrade.
  • Winters are usually cold with occasional snowfall.
  • They are known by various names such as Mistral (France), which is a cold dry wind; Loo (Gangetic plains), Sirocco (Sahara), Foehn (Alps) etc. are warm, dry winds.
• Vegetation: The region has treeless grasslands.
• Wildlife: Wolves, foxes, falcons, and eagles.
• Economy
  • Livestock ranching
  • The region is known as the wheat basket of the world.

Mediterranean Climate

• Distribution: 
  • The Mediterranean climate is found between 30o and 45o North and South of the Equator.
  • It is found in the areas around the Mediterranean Sea, Central Chile, California, Cape Town in Africa, and Southern Australia.
• Climate: The Mediterranean climate is characterized by very distinctive climatic features with dry, warm summers and wet, cold winters, and local winds.
• Vegetation
  • Trees have small, broad leaves and are widely spaced.
  • The absence of shade is a peculiar feature of this climat,e and the growth is almost restricted to autumn and spring.
  • Plants are in a continuous struggle against heat, dry air, excessive evaporation, and prolonged droughts.
  • Tree species are oaks and pines.
• Economic Activity
  • The region is important for fruit cultivation, cereal growing, wine-making and agricultural industries as well as engineering and mining. 
  • The region is a net exporter of citrus fruits and the net importer of dairy products.

China Type

• Distribution
  • It is found along the eastern margins of the continents between 20o and 35o N and S latitude.
  • Local Variety 
    • China Type: Temperate monsoon or China type is found in most parts of China and is a modified form of monsoonal climate.
    • Gulf Type: It is found in the south-eastern parts of the USA bordering the Gulf of Mexico
    • Natal Type: This climate is witnessed in New South Wales, Natal and Parana-Paraguay-Uruguay basin.
• Climate
  • It is typified by a warm moist summer and a cool, dry winter.
  • Rainfall is more than moderate and ranges between 60 cm to 150 cm and there is a uniform distribution of temperature throughout the year.
  • Local storms also occur. Example: typhoons and hurricanes.
• Vegetation
  • Due to heavier rainfall, the region supports luxurious vegetation.
  • There is perennial plant growth and the conditions are well suited for a rich variety of plant life.
  • The lowlands carry both evergreen broad-leaved forests and deciduous trees, similar to the tropical monsoon forests.
  • In the highlands, there are various species of conifers such as pines and cypresses which are important softwoods.
• Economic Activity
  • Cultivation of agriculture crops like paddy, cotton, and corn.

British Type Climate

• Distribution
  • Northern Hemisphere – The climatic belt stretches from Britain into North-West Europe. It is also found in North America.
  • Southern Hemisphere – The climate is experienced in southern Chile, Southern Australia, Tasmania and most parts of New Zealand, particularly in the South Island.
• Climate
  • Moderately warm summers and fairly mild winters.
  • Adequate rainfall throughout the year.
  • British-type climatic regions are under the permanent influence of the Westerlies all round the year.
  • The mean annual temperature is usually in the range of 5o C – 15o C.
• Vegetation
  • The natural vegetation of this climatic type is the deciduous forest.
  • The trees shed their leaves in the cold season. 
  • Some of the common species of temperate hardwood include oak, elm, ash, birch, beech, hornbeam, and poplar.
• Economic Activity
  • Agriculture activities like mixed farming, market gardening, and sheep rearing.
  • The countries are concerned in the production of machinery, chemicals and textiles.
  • Industries are also based on dairy products in Denmark, Netherlands and New Zealand.

Taiga Climate

• Other Climate: Taiga Climate is also known as Cool Temperate Continental Climate and is popular by various other names such as Siberian Climate, and Boreal Climate.
• Distribution
  • This type of climate is mainly found in the Northern Hemisphere in between 50o N to 70o N along a continuous belt across central Canada, some parts of Scandinavian Europe and most of central and southern Russian.
• Climate
  • The climate of these regions is characterized by extremely cold winters of long duration, with temperatures ranging around – 30 C to – 40 C.
  • The summers are cool and brief.
  • Maritime influences are nearly absent in the interiors and hence the annual precipitation is low, generally around 38cm to 63 cm.
• Vegetation
  • The predominant vegetation of this region is evergreen coniferous forests.
  • Four major species of coniferous forests grow in the region: pine, fir, spruce, and larch.
• Economic Activity
  • Trapping of animals and lumbering of trees.

Laurentian Climate

• Other Name: Also called Cool Temperate Eastern Margin Climate.
• Distribution
  • North American region – Eastern Canada, north-east USA, and Newfoundland.
  • Asiatic region – The other region is the eastern coastlands of Asia, including North China, eastern Siberia, Manchuria, Korea and northern Japan.
  • The climate is totally absent in the southern hemisphere.
• Climate
  • The climate of this type has cold, dry winters and warm, wet summers.
  • Two-thirds of the annual precipitation is in summer.
  • Winters are dry and cold and westerlies blow out from the continental interiors.
• Vegetation:
  • The predominant vegetation in this climate is cool temperate forests and they contain coniferous trees like pine.
• Economic Activity
  • Lumbering and its associated timber, paper and pulp industries are the most important economic activities in the region.

Tundra Climate

• Distribution
  • They have cold climatic conditions all through the year.
  • They are found in Arctic and Antarctic circles.
• Climate
  • Winters are long and very severe, summers are cool and brief.
  • Precipitation is mainly in the form of snow, falling in winter and being drifted by the blizzards.
• Vegetation
  • The region is occupied by mosses, lichens, and sedges.
• Economic Activity
  • Eskimos live in Greenland, northern Canada, and Alaska and are involved in hunting, fishing, and food-gathering.