Climatic Regions
Short Question
1. What is a natural region?
Answer: A region distinguished by common natural features of geography, geology, and climate.
2. Why are equatorial regions seasonless?
Answer: Constant vertical Sun rays ensure consistent temperature and rainfall year-round.
3. What causes heavy rainfall in monsoon regions?
Answer: Moisture-laden summer monsoon winds driven by the ITCZ shift cause heavy rainfall.
4. Which climate has the highest diurnal temperature range?
Answer: Tropical desert climate due to low humidity and clear skies.
5. Where is the Taiga climate found?
Answer: Between 55°–65°N in northern North America and Eurasia.
6. What is the main vegetation in the Savannah climate?
Answer: Tall, thick grasses with scattered drought-resistant trees.
7. Why do Mediterranean regions have winter rainfall?
Answer: Westerly winds bring moisture in winter, while subtropical highs cause dry summers.
8. What is the primary occupation in the Tundra region?
Answer: Hunting and fishing due to limited vegetation and harsh climate.
9. Which factor governs highland climates?
Answer: Topography, with temperature and precipitation varying by altitude.
10. What causes deserts near tropics?
Answer: Subtropical high-pressure belts create dry, descending air conditions.
11. Which climate supports paddy rice agriculture?
Answer: Tropical monsoon climate with heavy summer rainfall.
12. Why is the Ice Cap climate uninhabited?
Answer: Extremely cold temperatures and lack of vegetation make it unsuitable for habitation.
13. What moderates the Marine West European climate?
Answer: Warm ocean currents like the North Atlantic Drift ensure mild winters.
14. Why is chemical weathering dominant in rainforests?
Answer: High rainfall and humidity accelerate chemical reactions in iron-rich soils.
15. What limits precipitation in the Ice Cap climate?
Answer: Polar anticyclonic winds and minimal insolation result in meager snowfall.
Long Questions
1. How does latitude influence the climate of a place?
Answer: Latitude determines the angle of insolation, affecting temperature and precipitation patterns. For example, equatorial regions (e.g., Amazon Basin) receive vertical Sun rays, resulting in high temperatures (~27°C) and heavy rainfall (2500–3000 mm), while high-latitude regions (e.g., Greenland) receive oblique rays, causing cold Tundra climates (~10°C in summer, –20°C in winter). This variation shapes distinct climatic regions globally.
2. Why does the Tropical Monsoon climate have distinct seasons?
Answer: The Tropical Monsoon climate experiences distinct wet and dry seasons due to the seasonal shift of the ITCZ and differential heating of land and sea. In summer, low pressure over land attracts moisture-laden southwest winds, causing heavy rainfall (250–2500 mm), as seen in SW India. In winter, the ITCZ shifts south, and dry northeast winds dominate, creating a dry season.
3. What are the key features of the Mediterranean climate?
Answer: The Mediterranean climate features mild, wet winters (~10–14°C) and warm, dry summers (~21–27°C) due to alternating westerlies and subtropical highs. Found in regions like Central California, it supports scrub and evergreen forests, with crops like olives and grapes. Winter rainfall (500–1000 mm) and coastal fog are characteristic, fostering tourism and agriculture.
4. How do ocean currents affect desert formation?
Answer: Cold ocean currents, like the Humboldt Current along Chile’s coast, reduce atmospheric moisture, leading to arid conditions in deserts like the Atacama. These currents cool the air, lowering its capacity to hold water vapor, resulting in minimal precipitation (<200 mm). Similarly, the Benguela Current contributes to the Kalahari Desert’s aridity in southwest Africa.
5. Why is the Taiga climate absent in the Southern Hemisphere?
Answer: The Taiga climate (55°–65°N) is absent in the Southern Hemisphere due to limited landmasses at equivalent latitudes (55°–65°S), which are mostly oceanic. Regions like southern Chile have some land, but no permanent settlements or extensive coniferous forests exist. This contrasts with the Northern Hemisphere’s vast Taiga in North America and Eurasia.
6. What factors make the China Type climate agriculturally productive?
Answer: The China Type climate, found in SE USA and eastern Asia, has warm summers (>10°C), mild winters (0–18°C), and year-round rainfall (600–2500 mm), supporting diverse crops like rice, wheat, and cotton. High humidity and fertile soils enhance agricultural productivity. Cyclonic storms and convectional showers ensure consistent moisture for farming.
7. How does topography influence highland climates?
Answer: Topography in highland climates, like the Himalayas, causes temperature to decrease with altitude and precipitation to vary based on windward or leeward location. Orographic rainfall and snowfall occur on windward slopes, supporting coniferous forests, while lower altitudes have tropical vegetation. This vertical zonation creates diverse microclimates over short distances.
8. Why does the Savannah climate experience droughts?
Answer: The Savannah climate, located between 10°–20° N/S, has distinct wet and dry seasons due to the ITCZ’s summer influence and subtropical highs in winter. Dry winters, with rainfall as low as 250 mm annually, cause droughts, especially in regions like south-central Africa. Peripheral location to rainforests further limits moisture availability.
9. What role do winds play in the Marine West European climate?
Answer: Prevailing westerlies in the Marine West European climate, found in Western Europe, bring moist air from the Atlantic, ensuring year-round precipitation (500–2500 mm). Warm ocean currents like the North Atlantic Drift moderate winters (~5°C), preventing extreme cold. This results in mild, humid conditions ideal for grazing and fisheries.
10. Why is the Ice Cap climate the most severe on Earth?
Answer: The Ice Cap climate, found in Antarctica and interior Greenland, has all months below 0°C due to minimal insolation from oblique Sun rays and snow reflection. Meager snowfall occurs due to polar anticyclonic winds, limiting moisture. The lack of vegetation and extreme cold make it uninhabitable except for scientific research.
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