Climatic Regions in the World

There's no denying that the climate of a place is the average environment in a particular region over some time. Most geographers take at least thirty years or more to determine a place's climatic behaviour and pattern. Back in the 1800s and 1900s, a German climate expert named Wladimir Koppen accumulated data to split the world into major climatic regions and categories. 

All the seven major climatic regions of the world, divided by Koppen, differed on precipitation amount, temperature, and annual precipitation patterns. Additionally, these regions were also heavily influenced by their geographical latitude. 

To put it simply, those imaginary lines used to measure the planet also have a specific role to play in climatic changes of the world. Most of the warm regions on the earth are in proximity to the equator. This makes their environment more desirable since the Sun's light falls directly at the equator. Similarly, the North and South Poles are typically cold since they receive exceptionally little of the Sun.

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Name the Important Climatic Zones of the World

It's essential to mention that the earth can be categorised into several climatic zones. Here's a detailed breakdown of the major climatic regions of the world for your comprehensive understanding. 

1. Equatorial Climatic Region (100° N to 100° S)

If you are unaware of the major climatic regions of the world, you must begin with the equatorial climatic region. The area can be found between 5° and 10° both north and south of the equator. It is noteworthy mentioning that the particular region enjoys heavy precipitation of about 150 cm/year. The intense heat in the region makes the mornings sunny and warm, while the evenings have conventional rainfall. This area is also well known for its frequent thunder lightning that often accompanies the torrential showers. 

Additionally, the region is one of the most heavily researched regions due to its rich natural heritage. Scholars and geographers typically take an interest in the Amazon basin (South America) and Zaire Basin (Africa) in the western part of South East Asia (mainly islands) for studying this region. 

2. The Savana or Sudan Climate (100 To 200 N And S)

The Savana or the Sudan climate can be best defined as the transitional climate type that can be found between the equatorial forests and the trade wind hot deserts. According to the geographers, the Savana climate is exclusive to the tropics. Typically Sudan hosts this climate where you will find a stark difference between the dry and wet seasons.

In simple words, the Sudan Climatic region can be typically characterised by a sequence of excellent dry seasons, alternate hot and rainy seasons. The area is also renowned for its prevailing winds- otherwise known as the Trade Winds responsible for rainfall on the coastal districts. Speaking of the vegetation in the region, Savanna has typically considered the grasslands of the tropical climatic zone. Popularly known as the natural Zoo of the World, the Savanna climatic region entails the Kano and Salisbury region in Africa, Llanos and Campos in South America and the Northern and Central part of Australia.

3. The Hot Desert and Mid-Latitude Desert Climate (200 To 300 N And S)

You must realise that the dryness and infertility of the hot desert is primarily a result of the offshore trade winds. This is why they are often aptly called trade wind deserts. The region has several recognizable deserts, with the iconic Sahara (Africa) being the most extensive desert. The next name after the Sahara is the Great Australian desert. While the other hot deserts include Arabian, Thar, Iranian, Kalahari, Nubian, Namib, and the Atacama, there are a few cold deserts, namely Patagonia, Gobi and Turkestan.

4. The Warm Temperate Western Margin or Mediterranean Climate (300 To 400 N And S)

To put it simply, this climatic region has dry summers that are hot and warm while the winters are predictably cold and mild. The area also experiences a reasonable or high amount of rainfall. The region inhabits much of the land near the Mediterranean Sea. Once you go out of the Mediterranean, you will have scarce areas having similar climatic conditions. 

Speaking of the critical regions of the particular climatic part of the Mediterranean Sea- you will have South-West Africa near Cape Town, South West Australia (Swanland), Southern Australia around Adelaide, California around San Francisco, and Central Chile in South America. In vegetation in this region, orchard farming tops the list, with citrus and fibrous fruits being particular favourites.

5. Temperate Grasslands or Steppe Climate (400 To 550 N And S)

The temperate grasslands can be typically defined as drylands since they are far off from any oceanic influences. The climate in the area is best described as unreliable precipitation by those studying its climatic behaviour. Furthermore, when it comes to the annual range of temperature and rainfall, the figures tend to be around 13°C and 30 cm. The key geographical locations that fall under this climatic region include Steppes (Eurasia), Prairies (USA), Pustaz (Hungary), Pampas (South America- Argentina and Uruguay) and Velds (South Africa).

6. Cool Temperate Continental or Taiga or Siberian Climate (550 To 700 N And S)

The Taiga or Siberian climatic region is best defined by a bone-chilling cold winter for most of the year- with the remaining year experiencing a cool brief summer. The average rainfall in this region typically ranges around 35-60 cm, which is well distributed annually with maximum rain in the summer; the geographers Its noteworthy mentioning that such climate is mainly exclusive to the northern hemisphere since the south lacks any landmass with inhabitants.

7. The Arctic or Polar or Tundra Climate (700 To 900 N And S)

There's no denying that the Polar Climatic region is arguably one of the harshest biomes on the planet. You will find the ecosystems around this climatic region lacking any considerable vegetation- primarily on the mountain tops and in the Arctic. This is mainly because the climate is windy and cold with inadequate rainfall. Furthermore, the land is covered with snow almost throughout the year. 

8. The Tropical Monsoon and Tropical Marine Climate

Finally, there's the tropical monsoon and marine climate, otherwise known as the tropical wet climate and trade-wind littoral climate. Simply put, the region is best described as a tropical climate that has major oceanic influences. The coastal areas and islands on 10° to 20° north and south of the equator generally experience this climate. 

If you are unknown, there are primarily two main reasons in a tropical marine climate: the wet season and the dry season. When it comes to rainfall, the average figure ranges from 1000 to over 1500 mm. Meanwhile, the average climatic temperature in the region ranges from 20 °C to 35 °C. This particular climate can be typically found in the Caribbean, Madagascar, the eastern coasts of Brazil, and Queensland.

Factors Influencing the Major Climate Zones of the World

Here's a detailed breakdown of the specific factors that often contribute significantly to influencing the major climate zones of the world. These factors include:

1. The influence of latitude on solar radiation 

2. Location of global low and high-pressure zones

3. Air mass influence

4. Heat exchange from ocean currents

5. Prevailing winds patterns

6. Distribution of mountain barriers 

7. Distribution of land and sea

8. Altitude

There's no denying that all these factors hold significant importance in influencing the climate of a region. Further digging into the matter will elaborate on how the latitudinal effects of these factors can influence the major climate zones of the world.