200 most important geography topics - Sykalo Eugen 2023

Climate classification

As students of geography, it is essential to understand the different types of climates around the world. Climate classification is a system that categorizes climates based on various factors such as temperature, precipitation, and vegetation. Understanding climate classification is valuable for several reasons, including predicting weather patterns, understanding ecosystems, and identifying regions vulnerable to natural disasters.

The Koppen Climate Classification System

The most widely used climate classification system is the Koppen Climate Classification System, developed by Russian-German climatologist Wladimir Peter Koppen. This system divides the world's climates into five main categories: tropical, dry, moderate, continental, and polar.

Tropical Climates

Tropical climates are characterized by high temperatures and humidity throughout the year, with no significant seasonal variation. The Koppen system further divides tropical climates into three subcategories:

Tropical rainforest climate (Af): characterized by high rainfall, temperatures, and humidity year-round. These climates are found in the Amazon Basin, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia.
Tropical monsoon climate (Am): characterized by a distinct wet and dry season, with heavy rainfall during the wet season. These climates are found in India, Southeast Asia, and parts of Central and South America.
Tropical savanna climate (Aw): characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons, with moderate to high temperatures and lower humidity during the dry season. These climates are found in parts of Africa, South America, and Australia.

Tropical climates are found in regions close to the equator, where the sun is most intense and direct. These regions receive high levels of solar radiation, which leads to high temperatures and humidity year-round. The lack of significant seasonal variation in temperature and humidity is due to the constant amount of solar radiation received throughout the year.

Tropical rainforest climates are characterized by high levels of rainfall, with annual averages typically exceeding 2,000 mm. The high rainfall supports the growth of dense vegetation, such as the lush rainforests found in the Amazon Basin and Congo Basin. The temperatures are also high and relatively constant throughout the year, with average temperatures typically ranging between 25 to 27 degrees Celsius.

Tropical monsoon climates have a distinct wet season and a dry season, with heavy rainfall during the wet season. The wet season typically lasts for several months, during which time most of the annual rainfall occurs. The dry season is characterized by lower temperatures and humidity, with little to no rainfall. These climates are found in regions such as India, Southeast Asia, and parts of Central and South America.

Tropical savanna climates also have a distinct wet and dry season, with moderate to high temperatures and lower humidity during the dry season. These climates are found in regions such as Africa, South America, and Australia. The dry season is characterized by lower levels of rainfall, which supports the growth of grasses and low-lying vegetation rather than dense forests.

Tropical climates are characterized by high temperatures and humidity, with no significant seasonal variation. The three subcategories of tropical climates - tropical rainforest, tropical monsoon, and tropical savanna - are differentiated based on their levels of rainfall and the presence of distinct wet and dry seasons.

Dry Climates

Dry climates are characterized by low rainfall and high temperatures. The Koppen system further divides dry climates into four subcategories:

Desert climate (BWh): characterized by extremely low rainfall, high temperatures, and low humidity. These climates are found in the Sahara Desert, Arabian Desert, and the Great Basin of the United States.
Semi-arid climate (BSk): characterized by low rainfall, high temperatures, and moderate to high humidity. These climates are found in parts of Africa, Australia, and the western United States.
Steppe climate (BSh): characterized by low rainfall, high temperatures, and low humidity. These climates are found in parts of Central Asia and the Great Plains of the United States.
Subtropical desert climate (BWh): characterized by extremely low rainfall, high temperatures, and low humidity. These climates are found in the deserts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

Dry climates are found in regions where there is little to no moisture in the air due to the lack of moisture sources such as oceans or large bodies of water. This leads to low levels of precipitation and high temperatures. Dry climates can be divided into four subcategories based on the amount of rainfall and humidity.

Desert climates, also known as arid climates, are characterized by extremely low rainfall, high temperatures, and low humidity. These climates are found in regions such as the Sahara Desert, Arabian Desert, and the Great Basin of the United States. The lack of moisture in the air leads to low levels of rainfall, which can sometimes be less than 250 mm per year. The high temperatures and low humidity can lead to extreme weather conditions, such as sandstorms and heatwaves.

Semi-arid climates are characterized by low rainfall, high temperatures, and moderate to high humidity. These climates are found in regions such as parts of Africa, Australia, and the western United States. The rainfall in semi-arid climates is typically between 250-500 mm per year, which supports the growth of low-lying vegetation such as grasses. The high temperatures and humidity can lead to weather conditions such as droughts and wildfires.

Steppe climates are characterized by low rainfall, high temperatures, and low humidity. These climates are found in regions such as Central Asia and the Great Plains of the United States. The rainfall in steppe climates is typically between 250-500 mm per year, which supports the growth of grasses and low-lying vegetation. The high temperatures and low humidity can lead to weather conditions such as dust storms and wildfires.

Subtropical desert climates are characterized by extremely low rainfall, high temperatures, and low humidity. These climates are found in the deserts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The lack of moisture in the air leads to low levels of rainfall, which can sometimes be less than 250 mm per year. The high temperatures and low humidity can lead to extreme weather conditions, such as sandstorms and heatwaves.

Dry climates are characterized by low levels of rainfall and high temperatures. The four subcategories of dry climates - desert, semi-arid, steppe, and subtropical desert - are differentiated based on the amount of rainfall and humidity. These climates can have extreme weather conditions such as sandstorms, droughts, and heatwaves.

Moderate Climates

Moderate climates are characterized by mild to warm temperatures and moderate to high rainfall. The Koppen system further divides moderate climates into two subcategories:

Mediterranean climate (Csa and Csb): characterized by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. These climates are found in California, the Mediterranean Basin, and parts of Australia, South Africa, and Chile.
Humid subtropical climate (Cfa and Cwa): characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters with moderate rainfall throughout the year. These climates are found in the southeastern United States, eastern China, and parts of South America.

Mediterranean climates have mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. These climates are found in regions along the Mediterranean Sea, such as California, the Mediterranean Basin, and parts of Australia, South Africa, and Chile. The wet season in these regions typically occurs during the winter months, while the summer months are dry and hot. The mild winters and hot summers support a diverse range of plant life, including olive trees, citrus fruits, and grape vines.

Humid subtropical climates are characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters with moderate rainfall throughout the year. These climates are found in regions such as the southeastern United States, eastern China, and parts of South America. The rainfall in humid subtropical climates is typically evenly distributed throughout the year, with no distinct wet or dry season. The hot, humid summers can support a diverse range of plant life, including deciduous trees such as oak and maple.

Moderate climates are characterized by mild to warm temperatures and moderate to high rainfall. The two subcategories of moderate climates - Mediterranean and humid subtropical - are differentiated based on their distinct wet and dry seasons and the types of plant life that they support.

Continental Climates

Continental climates are characterized by cold winters and warm to hot summers. The Koppen system further divides continental climates into three subcategories:

Humid continental climate (Dfa, Dfb, Dwa, and Dwb): characterized by cold winters, hot summers, and moderate to high rainfall throughout the year. These climates are found in the northeastern United States, eastern Europe, and parts of Asia.
Subarctic climate (Dfc, Dfd, and Dwc): characterized by long, cold winters and short, mild summers with low to moderate rainfall. These climates are found in northern Canada, Alaska, and Siberia.
Polar climate (EF): characterized by extremely cold temperatures and low precipitation. These climates are found in the polar regions of the world.

Humid continental climates are characterized by cold winters, hot summers, and moderate to high rainfall throughout the year. These climates are found in regions such as the northeastern United States, eastern Europe, and parts of Asia. The winters in these regions are long and cold, with temperatures often dropping below freezing. The summers, on the other hand, are hot and humid, with temperatures often exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. The moderate to high rainfall throughout the year supports the growth of deciduous trees such as maple and oak.

Subarctic climates are characterized by long, cold winters and short, mild summers with low to moderate rainfall. These climates are found in regions such as northern Canada, Alaska, and Siberia. The winters in these regions are long and cold, with temperatures often dropping below -30 degrees Celsius. The summers, although short, are mild, with temperatures often ranging between 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. The low to moderate rainfall supports the growth of coniferous trees such as spruce and pine.

Polar climates are characterized by extremely cold temperatures and low precipitation. These climates are found in the polar regions of the world, including the Arctic and Antarctic regions. The temperatures in these regions are extremely cold, with average temperatures often below -20 degrees Celsius. The low levels of precipitation in these regions result in a lack of vegetation, with only mosses and lichens able to survive.

Overall, continental climates are characterized by cold winters and warm to hot summers. The three subcategories of continental climates - humid continental, subarctic, and polar - are differentiated based on the length and severity of their winters, as well as the levels of precipitation and types of vegetation that they support.

Polar Climates

Polar climates, also known as ice cap climates, are characterized by extremely low temperatures and low precipitation. These climates are found in the polar regions of the world, including the Arctic and Antarctic regions. The Koppen system further divides polar climates into two subcategories: tundra climate and ice cap climate.

Tundra climates are characterized by long, cold winters and short, cool summers with low precipitation. These climates are found in the Arctic and subarctic regions of the world. The temperatures in tundra climates are extremely cold, with average temperatures often below -30 degrees Celsius. The low levels of precipitation in these regions result in a lack of vegetation, with only mosses and lichens able to survive. The tundra is also characterized by permafrost, which is a layer of soil that is permanently frozen. This makes it difficult for plants to grow, as their roots are unable to penetrate the frozen ground.

Ice cap climates are characterized by extremely low temperatures and no vegetation. These climates are found in Antarctica and Greenland. The temperatures in ice cap climates are extremely cold, with average temperatures often below -50 degrees Celsius. The low levels of precipitation in these regions result in a complete lack of vegetation. The only life forms that are able to survive in these regions are microorganisms that are adapted to the extreme conditions.

Polar climates are the coldest and driest climates on Earth. The extreme cold and lack of vegetation make these regions inhospitable to most forms of life. However, some animals, such as polar bears and penguins, have adapted to these extreme conditions and are able to survive in these regions.