1. 6 Major Climate Regions
Scientists classify climates according to 2 major factors:
*temperature
*precipitation
There are 6 major climate regions: tropical, desert, temperate cold, temperate warm, polar, and highland
Example of a Climate Regions Map
images.encarta.msn.com/.../maps/map/T373599A.gif

2. 6 Climate Regions: Tropical Climates
Warm all year
Lots of precipitation
Rain forests often grow in this climate. Rain forests are forests in which plenty of rain falls year-round *
Background:

3. 6 Climate Regions: Desert Climates
Receive 10 inches or less of precipitation in a year
Can be hot or cold
Arid (dry)
Vegetation adapts
* only specialized plants like cactus can survive

4. 6 Climate Regions: Temperate Cold Climates
Usually inland, precipitation is even year around
Vegetation-a variety of trees and shrub
*rainy summers and mild, rainy winters. Thick forests of tall trees are here.

5. 6 Climate Regions: Temperate Warm Climates
Usually along the coasts
Marine: damp and wet
Mediterranean: warm and fairly dry
Variety of Vegetation
*Grasses and dense shrubs and small trees
Background from-

6. 6 Climate Regions: Polar Climates
6 Climate Regions: Polar Climates
Close to the poles
Mosses and some grasses grow in the short-cold summer
Or no vegetation at all
*Permafrost is permanently frozen soil, doesn’t allow water to drain well so it is wet and boggy in the summer

7. 6 Climate Regions: Highland Climates
Hilly and mountainous
temperature, precipitation, and vegetation depend on altitude, winds and rain shadow (the drier side of a mountain)

8. Image from- images.encarta.msn.com/.../maps/map/T373599A.gif