1. CLIMATE ZONES Hot & Dry OR Cold & Wet …

2. The Earth has climate zones  The surface of the Earth can be broken into different climate zones depending on temperature, precipitation and weather patterns.

3. Equatorial Zones  Because of the amount of sunlight, regions near the equator are hot.  Rain Forests are wetDeserts are dry (arid)

4. In between rain forest and desert  Is the Savannah  The lion sleeps tonight…

5. Mid-latitudes have a variety of zones  From Temperate to  ASub-Tropical  Like…the…Swamp…

6. Mid-latitudes have a variety of zones  And from Alpine to  ASteppes  (cooler and dryer)

7. Coastal zones are also unique.  The U.S. West Coast& the Mediterranean  Warm, dry summers & cool, wet winters

8. Near the poles (or mountains) it’s cold!  Tiaga – coniferous forests… A Tundra A  Polar  Iceor… frozen ground

9. Each zone is unique!  The temperature, precipitation and weather patterns determine the ecosystems and biomes.  Latitude determines sunshine.  Ocean currents and wind patterns determine seasonal shifts.  Micro-climates exist within the various climate zones, especially where ocean currents and topography are more extreme.  Alpine micro-climates are cooler.  Marine micro-climates are warmer.