• 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