2. Factors influencing climate
The main factors influencing climate, and which determine the Earth’s climate zones, are latitude and altitude.
Latitude is the distance from any point on the Earth to the equator. The lower the latitude (closer to the equator), the higher the temperature.
Altitude is expressed in terms of height above sea level. The lower the altitude, the warmer the temperature..

3. The climate zones
There are five climate zones on Earth, based on differences in latitude.
Cold zone
Temperate zone
Warm zone
Equator
Temperate zone
Cold zone
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The cold zones
Cold zone
Tropic of Cancer
Equator
Tropic of Capricorn
Cold zone
There are two cold zones on Earth, corresponding to the two poles. They are also located in the high mountains on Earth .
Temperatures are low throughout the year, since these areas receive less solar energy than the zones located at high latitudes.
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The temperate zones
Temperate zone
Tropic of Cancer
Equator
Tropic of Capricorn
Temperate zone
There are also two temperate zones, between the tropics and the Arctic and Antarctic Circles: these correspond to the zones at medium latitudes.
Temperatures there are moderate: high in summer and low in winter.
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6. The warm zone
Tropic of Cancer
Equator
Warm zone
Tropic of Capricorn
The warm zone is located between the tropics of Cancer and of Capricorn.
As a result of their low latitudes, they receive more solar energy, and temperatures remain very high throughout the year.
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