Physical Geography

Climate

Characteristics

A. Temperature

B. Precipitation

C. Seasons (hot/cold, wet/dry)

Elements

A. Latitude

B. Winds – Distributes heat

C. Elevation

D. Water – Moderate temperature

E. Ocean Currents

Latitude

Climate Regions

Low Latitudes

A. Tropical Wet – Rains a lot and is hot (Rainforest)

B. Tropical Wet and Dry – Rains half the year and is hot (Savanna)

Climate Regions

Middle Latitudes

A. Mediterranean

B. Humid Continental

C. Humid Subtropical

D. Marine West Coast

Climate Regions

High Latitudes

A. Subarctic (boreal forests such as Taiga)

B. Tundra (cold grassland)

C. Icecap

Climate Regions

Other

A. Arid (desert)

B. Semiarid (dry grasslands such as steppe)

C. Highland (located in mountains)

Vegetation

A. Rainforest – Forest with broadleaf trees located in low latitudes (jungle)

B. Savanna – Tropical grassland in Africa

C. Steppe – Dry grassland near deserts (Sahara, Gobi)

D. Middle Latitude Forest – Mixed forest with coniferous and deciduous trees

E. Taiga – Coniferous forest located in Russia (boreal forest)

F. Tundra – Cold grassland with permafrost

Rainforest

Savanna

Steppe

Mixed Forest

Taiga

Tundra

Weather

A. Monsoons – Seasonal wind patterns in South and Southeast Asia that bring rain

B. Typhoons – Tropical storms in Pacific Ocean

C. Hurricanes – Tropical storms in Atlantic Ocean

D. Tornadoes – Twisting funnel shaped storms in U.S.

Monsoons

A. Positive – Brings rain so people can grow crops

B. Negative – Rain causes flooding near rivers and areas with low elevation

Monsoons

Tornadoes

Climate

Climate has an effect on:

A. CropsB. ClothingC. HousingD. Natural Hazards

Crops

Clothing

Housing