World Climate Regions

World Climate Regions 1. Tropical Rainforest 7. Humid Subtropical 2. Tropical Savanna 3. Desert 4. Steppe 5. Mediterranean 6. Marine West Coast 7. Humid Subtropical 8. Humid Continental 9. Subarctic 10. Tundra 11. Ice Cap 12. Highland (Alpine)

Tropical Rainforest warm temperatures over the year. heavy rainfall throughout the year (80 inches or more) Found in Amazon Basin in South America, as well as Congo Basin, Africa. Associated with Rainforests and Jungles. Found along the Equator or areas close to the Equator. http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rainforest.htm

Tropical Savanna Warm temperatures throughout the year Rainy summer and dry winter Tropical savanna climates are found southern half of Brazil, eastern Africa The Savannah of Africa is a prime example. http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna.htm

ARID(DESERT) Temperatures can be warm or mild. Deserts receive less than 10 inches of rainfall per year. Hot deserts (Sahara) have low humidity and high temperatures during the day. At night the temperature falls because the dry air cannot hold heat well. http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/desert.htm

Steppe Temperatures can be warm or mild Rainfall low and unreliable This climate is located in the interior of continents, or in a zone around deserts. Can be found in the Great Plains, and the Sahel region of Africa.

Marine West Coast Located close to the oceans and is frequently cloudy, foggy, and damp. Warm ocean waters off the coast moderates and keeps temperatures relatively constant throughout the year. Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year. Rains a lot throughout the year. Seattle, WA (Pacific Northwest) London, England

Mediterranean Primarily found surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Warm dry summers and mild, wet winters. Shrubs, low trees, drought resistant plants Located in southern California and Mediterranean Europe http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/med_chaparral.htm

Humid Subtropical Hot, humid, wet summers and mild wet winters. These areas are found on the east coast of continents and are often subject to hurricanes in late summer and autumn. Located in southeast U.S. and eastern China Very suitable for raising crops, (rice).

Humid Continental Hot, wet summers and cold wet winters Mostly found in mid-latitude (40’s to 50 degrees) interiors of northern hemisphere continents. These regions also experience four distinct seasons. Located in Northeast U.S, eastern Russia. Deciduous Forests thrive in this climate. http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/deciduous_forest.htm

SUBARCTIC Evergreen forests called “TAIGA” cover the lands in this climate region. Summers are short and cool while the winters are long & extremely cold, little precipitation. Temperatures at freezing or below last five to eight months of the year. Most of Alaska http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/taiga.htm

TUNDRA Tundra is the flat, treeless lands forming a ring around the Arctic Ocean. Short, cool summers and long, cold winters, precipitation varies Very little rainfall – less than 15 inches/year. Permanently frozen subsoil called “Permafrost” Located in extreme north of N. America and Europe http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/tundra.htm

Ice Cap Snow, ice, and permanently freezing temperatures characterize this region. Cold all year long and it rarely snows. Coldest temperature = -128.6o F (Vostok, Antarctica) Found only on the continent of Antarctica and Greenland

HIGHLANDS (Alpine) Highland climates vary depending upon four factors: 1. Latitude 2. Elevation (Altitude) 3. Topography Located in the Rocky Mts. A and Himalaya Mts. Asia http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/alpine.htm

Major Characteristics Climate Region Major Characteristics Tropical Humid Always hot (80o F average) & rains daily Tropical Wet & Dry Rainy season in summer & dry season in winter Semiarid About 16” rain per year Arid (Desert) Less than 10” rain per year. Mediterranean Hot, dry summers & cool, rainy winters. Marine West Coast Northwest United States & Western Europe.

Major Characteristics Climate Type Major Characteristics Humid Subtropical Found in SE United States & subject to hurricanes. Humid Continental Found in NEPA & experiences four seasons. Subarctic Evergreen forests dominate this climate. Tundra Summers are so short and cool that permafrost exists. Ice Cap Known as the Polar desert Highlands (Alpine) Climate varies with four factors.