- Climate is the long term condition of a particular region.
- The climate changes in the particular region are based on the atmosphere and environmental conditions of that region.
- There are six major controls of the climate of any place.
- They are latitude, altitude, pressure and wind system, distance from the sea, continentality, ocean currents and relief features.
Key PointsFactors that affect the climate of a place:
Latitude:
- Due to the curvature of the earth, the amount of solar energy received varies according to latitude.
- As a result, air temperature generally decreases from the equator towards the poles.
- The places located far from the equator that receive less sunlight are colder.
- Places that are situated towards the equator receives more sunlight and are hotter.
- Sunlight also causes low precipitation or rainfall.
Altitude:
- As one goes from the surface of the earth to higher altitudes, the atmosphere becomes less dense.
- Places at a higher region or at high altitude have low atmospheric pressure.
- This causes a decrease in atmospheric temperature with increasing altitude.
- The hills are therefore cooler during summers.
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Continentality:
- The sea exerts a moderating influence on climate.
- As the distance from the sea increases, its moderating influence decreases and the people experience extreme weather conditions.
- This condition is known as continentality, i.e. very hot during summers and very cold during winters.
Ocean currents:
- Ocean currents along with onshore winds affect the climate of the coastal areas.
- For example, any coastal area with warm or cold currents flowing past it will be warmed or cooled by the onshore winds.
- Ocean currents are able to transfer heat energy from land to sea or vice versa thus affecting the temperature of the region.
Topography:
- Topography refers to the shape of the land.
- Topography also plays a major role in determining the climate of a place.
- High mountains act as barriers to cold or hot winds.
- They may also cause precipitation if they are high enough and lie in the path of rain-bearing winds.
- The leeward side of the mountains remains relatively dry.
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Pressure and wind system:
- The pressure and wind system of any area depend on the latitude and altitude of the place.
- Thus it influences the temperature and rainfall pattern.
- Winds distribute and spread particular air masses.
- The direction of the wind helps to determine the climate of a region.
- The wind coming from the humid region bring cool air while that from the dry region would bring hot air.
Thus, longitude is NOT one of the major controls of the climate of any place
Longitude:
- Longitude is the measurement of east or west.
- Longitude is measured by imaginary lines that run around the Earth vertically (up and down) and meet at the North and South Poles.
- These lines are known as meridians.
- Longitudes do not affect the climate of a particular place.
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHICH