Climates And Natural Regions

Climate Climate is the average condition of the weather over a long period of time (normally 30 years) across a large area of the world's surface. Factors that influence climate include: Latitude Distance from the sea Prevailing winds and air masses/ocean currents

Latitude is the distance north or south of the equator. In general, the further north or south of the equator an area is, the colder it will be.

Distance From the Sea Water in the sea absorbs heat very slowly during the Summer. It also loses its heat very slowly during the Winter. Areas of land close to the sea will be cooled by the water in the Summer and warmed up by the water in the Winter.

Prevailing Winds and Ocean Currents/Air Masses Winds and air masses can make an area colder, warmer, wetter or drier. Their influence will depend on the direction they came from and whether they pass over land or water. Easterly winds bring dry, warm weather in the Summer but bring very cold and possibly snowy weather in the Winter. Northerly winds always bring cold weather and bring snow only in the Winter. South-westerly winds bring rather mild, wet weather, whether it is the Summer or Winter. Southerly winds bring warm and dry weather but if it is too hot or a front forms (cold and warm air battling), a thundery breakdown occurs.

Factors That Influence Local Climates Aspect Altitude

Aspect Aspect refers to the direction in which a slope is facing. For example, a slope can be facing north or south. In the northern hemisphere, south-facing slopes are warmer. There are 3 reasons why: The sun shines directly onto south-facing slopes. Warm southerly winds blow against south-facing slopes. They are protected from the cold northerly winds.

Altitude Altitude refers to the height above sea level. In general, the higher you go, the colder it is. This is why mountains, even in Spain have snow at the summit. The temperature drops 7°C for each 1000m you go up. There are two reasons for this: This is because the air is thinner and it can hold less heat. Upland areas are more exposed to the wind which also makes it colder. This is known as the Wind Chill Factor.

Natural Regions and World Climates A natural region is an area of the world that has its own unique characteristics that make it different to other areas. These characteristics include: Climate Natural vegetation Wildlife Human activities Natural vegetation is the cover of plants and trees that grow in an area before it is changed by human interference.

Types of World Climates World climates can be put into 3 groups. Hot climates Temperate climates Cold climates

Types of World Climates

Hot Climates of the World Most hot climates are found between latitudes 30°N and 30°S. They include hot desert climates, equatorial climates and savanna climates.

Hot Climates of the World

Equatorial Climates Equatorial climates are generally found in countries like Nigeria, parts of Brazil & Peru and Indonesia. They have a one season climate because of averaging a very hot temperature of around 32°C. It rains generally every afternoon because of high humidity with an annual total of over 2,000mm. The natural vegetation consists of rain forests or jungles and hardwoods which have mahogany, teak and cherry trees. Parrots, snakes, monkeys and butterflies all live in this type of climate.

Savanna Climates Savanna climates are found in northern parts of Australia, Madagascar, Mali, Venezuela, parts of Brazil etc. They have a two season climate with temperatures averaging 25−35°C all year round. It rains generally during the Summer and Winters are very dry with an average annual total of over 800mm. The natural vegetation consists of scattered trees and grassland. Herds of cattle, lions, cheetahs and giraffes live in these climates.

Hot Desert Climates Hot desert climates are generally found in very warm deserts such as the Sahara Desert, the Kalahari Desert, the Arabian Desert and the Australian Outback. They consist of a one season climate generally. Temperatures average 30−50°C during the day but rapidly drop to as low as 5°C during the night. Reasons for this large temperature range: The absence of cloud cover and vegetation meant that there is a rapid loss of heat at night. Night is said to be the 'winter of the desert'. Rainfall is very rare with an annual total of less than 100mm. This means that it frequently gets threatened by droughts. Luxor and Aswan in Egypt had the longest-drought ever with NO RAINFALL from 2001-2014. These droughts though soon be avoided by sudden downpours. Vegetation is very little due to the shortage of moisture. It consists of cactus, date palm and Joshua trees. Rattlesnakes, desert foxes and jack-rabbits lived in these climates.

Desertification Desertification means turning land into desert. It occurs when desert conditions spread into areas that were once fertile. The areas most affected by desertification are those at the edge of existing deserts. The Sahel for example, a region at the southern edge of the Sahara Desert.

Causes of Desertification Climate change Rainfall is unreliable Higher temperatures Severe droughts Rivers dried up Human factors Overgrazing of the land No fertilisers Deforestation

Results of Desertification Hundreds of thousands of people have died as a result of famine. Millions of people were forced to migrate in search of food or aid. Many of these still live in refugee camps. Many people moved into urban areas, leading to the growth of slums. Millions of animals have died. Vast areas of land are now unable to support agriculture. Towns and villages have been swallowed up by the advancing sands.

Solutions to Desertification Slow down soil erosion by planting trees as shelter belts. Bind the soil particles by planting grasses that are resistant to droughts. Dig deeper wells to find water for irrigation. Introduce new breeds of animals to produce more milk, but with smaller herds.

Temperate Climates of the World Most temperate climates are found in the mid- latitudes. They include warm temperate oceanic climates and cool temperate oceanic climates.

Temperate Climates of the World

Cool Temperate Oceanic Climates Cool temperate oceanic climates are found in Chile, Ireland, Norway, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Summers are warm with temperatures averaging 15−17°C whilst Winters are mild with temperatures averaging 4−6°C. Rain falls throughout the year, but Ireland for example has different wet and dry months. April is the driest (average rainfall 48-92mm) and October is the wettest (average rainfall (77-177mm). Annual totals range between 700 and 2,000mm. The weather is cloudy and changeable. The natural vegetation consists of deciduous forests, oak, ash, elm and willow trees.

Warm Temperate Oceanic Climates Warm temperate oceanic climates are found in southwestern California, central Chile, southwest South Africa, southwest and southeast Australia as well as regions around the Mediterranean Sea which include Italy, Spain and Greece. They have a 4 season climate with very dry Summers and rather wet Winters but exceptionally wet Springs and Autumns. Annual rainfall ranges between 400 and 700mm. Temperatures in Summer average around 30°C and 7−11°C in Winter. Natural vegetation consists of evergreen woodland which include cypress, cedar and olive trees. They survive the climate because they absorb and store moisture during Winter, have very thick bark and waxy leaves to prevent moisture loss and are widely spaced to avoid competition for moisture. Although most of the woodland has been cleared for agriculture. Other changes in the Mediterranean include: Sheepes and goats are the animals most commonly reared. Overgrazing has damaged the scant vegetation and the soil has been exposed to erosion by sudden downpours of rain. Fruit and vegetable farming takes place throughout the year. Irrigation schemes have been introduced to overcome droughts. Sunflowers, maize, wheat, tomatoes and citrus fruits are grown here.

Tourism in the Mediterranean Sea Tourism is a major factor to countries in the Mediterranean Sea. Many of these regions have decorative, attractive hotels with large, deep appealing swimming pools. Torremolinos on Spain's Costa Del Sol is a great example as it has plenty of hotels and pools as well as a motorway fronting the beach.

Torremolinos, Spain

Cold Climates of the World The cold climates of the world are found mainly in the northern hemisphere because, apart from Antarctica, there is no matching landmass in the southern hemisphere. They include tundra climates and boreal climates.

Cold Climates of the World

Tundra Climates Tundra climates are found in northern Alaska, Canada and Russia as well as Lapland in Finland, Greenland and Iceland. Summers are short and cool with temperatures averaging about 5°C and Winters are long and cold with temperatures averaging about −24°C. The precipitation is slow because it is too cold for it to rain, so it snows quite often. Annual total is usually less than 250mm. There is very little vegetation due to the extreme cold. The main types are heathers, mosses and lichens. Animals can survive the Summer but migrate south during the Winter. Snow leopards and polar bears usually are some of the animals that can survive the long, cold Winters.

Boreal Climates Boreal climates are found in southern Alaska, central Canada, most of Sweden, Finland and central Russia. Summers are short but unlike tundra climates, they are rather mild because they have long hours of daylight with temperatures about 10−15°C. Winters are long and cold but slightly warmer than tundra climates with average temperatures around −13°C. Unlike tundra climates, the Summer is warm enough for precipitation to fall as rain. Annual total is generally less than 400mm. Natural vegetation consists of evergreen forests called taiga which have coniferous trees. Minks, bears, wolves and eagles live in these climates.