Exploring Our World
Climate and Climate Zones
Climate zones are distinguished by the imaginary lines of latitude which run across the Earth’s surface.
Some of the important latitudes are:-
1. The Arctic Circle (66.5 N)
2. The Tropic of Cancer (23.5 N)
3. The Equator (0)
4. The Tropic of Capricorn (23.5 S)
5. The Antarctic Circle (66.5 S)
Torrid/Tropic Zone: The Sun's heat falls directly on this zone during the Solstice and the Equinoxes. The
Tropic zone is defined as the region between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5 N –
23.5 S). This is the hottest part of the Earth because it is closer to the Equator.
Temperate Zone: This zone falls between the Arctic Zone and Tropic of Cancer (66.5 N – 23.5 N) and
between the Antarctic Zone and the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5 S – 66.5 S) Characterized by: mild
temperatures and four seasons (Summer, Spring, Autumn, and Winter). The sun is never directly
overhead in these regions.
Frigid Zone: This zone falls above the Arctic Zone (66.5 N – 90 N), and below the Antarctic Zone (66.5 S –
90 S). This zone is the coldest one on the planet, due to it being far away from the equator, where it
get’s very low amounts of sunlight. This zone is characterized by: Unusual day-night cycles. Sometimes
the sun doesn’t rise or set for 24 hours. Sometimes the Sun is out for 6 months (from the time of
Summer Solstice to the time of Winter Solstice.
Climate Defined: Climate is the weather pattern of a region of the word over a long period of time.
Many factors influence a region’s climate, with the Sun being most important.
Earth's Movements: The Earth is constantly in motion:
Rotation: The Earth spins on its axis (an imaginary line from the North Pole to the South Pole).
Revolution: The Earth travels around the sun. One revolution equals one year.
The Earth's axis is tilted, causing different parts of the Earth to tilt towards the sun at various times of
the year. In July, the Northern Hemisphere faces the sun. In January, the Northern Hemisphere tilts
away from the sun. This movement results in the different seasons.
When a hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, it receives more direct sunlight and becomes warmer.
When a hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, it receives less sunlight and becomes colder. When it is
winter in the Northern Hemisphere, it is summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
1. Latitude: Latitude is the distance a place lies north or south of the Equator. Latitude lines are
used to measure this distance.
2. Precipitation: The amount of precipitation that falls in a region is an important aspect of its
climate. Some places experience rain or snow nearly every day, while others may be completely
dry for most of the year.
3. Wind: Winds can be warm or cool, depending on the direction from which they blow. Winds
blowing from the tropics carry warm air. Winds blowing from polar regions bring cold air.
4. Water Currents: Water currents can carry warmth or coolness from one part of the world to
another. The Gulf Stream, for example, carries warm water from the Gulf of Mexico to places as
far north as Norway, resulting in a warmer climate in Norway than in most places in the polar
regions.
Earth’s Climate System: The Earth's climate system is primarily driven by two factors:
1. The way energy from the sun moves in and out of the atmosphere.
2. The way heat moves around the atmosphere and the oceans.
Solar Energy Dynamics: Solar energy is the main driver for our climate system.
When solar energy reaches the atmosphere: Some is absorbed. Some is reflected, mainly by clouds.
Most of the remaining energy heats the Earth's surface, though a small fraction is reflected.
The Earth's surface loses heat through: Rising air currents, Radiation, Evaporation of water.
Greenhouse Effect: Some heat passes through the atmosphere back to space.
Some heat is absorbed by greenhouse gases such as: Carbon dioxide, Water vapor, Methane, Ozone.
Most of the air (nitrogen and oxygen) does not absorb heat.
The atmosphere re-emits the absorbed heat: Some escapes to space. Some heats the Earth's surface
again. Eventually, all heat escapes into space. Without the absorption and re-emission of heat by
greenhouse gases, the Earth would be uninhabitable.
Countries, Geography, and Continents
Name of Two Major City with the Two Major Tallest One major
Continent Countries Highest Sites/Landmarks Mountain on River and
Population the Continent Desert
Asia China, India Tokyo, Japan The Great Wall Himalayas, The Yangtze
(37,000,000) of China, Taj Mount River and Gobi
Mahal Everest Desert
(8849m)
Africa Nigeria, Egypt Lagos, Nigeria The Pyramids Of Atlas, Mount The Nile River,
(9,000,000) Giza, The Cape Toubkal Sahara Desert
of Good Hope (4167m)
North USA, Canada Mexico City, The Statue of Rockies, Mississippi
America Mexico (12.9 Liberty, Empire Mount Elbert River, Mojave
Million) State Building (4401m) Desert
South Brazil, Sao Paulo (23 Machu Picchu, Andes, Mount Atacama
America Argentina Million) Christ the Aconcagua Desert,
Redeemer (6961m) Amazon River
Europe Russia, Moscow (27 Eiffel Tower, Big Alps, Mount River Rhine,
Germany Million) Ben Blanc (4809m) Tabernas
Desert
Oceania Australia, New Sydney (5.3 Sydney Opera Great Dividing Murray River,
Zealand Million) House, Kakadu Range, Mount Victoria
National Park Kosciuszko Desert
(2228m)