World Climate Zones: Characteristics and Locations
Classified in Geology
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Equatorial Climate
Location
- Amazon Basin
- Congo Basin
- Indonesia
Temperature
High temperatures, around 25°C year-round. Hot weather.
Temperature Range
Low thermal amplitude, less than 3°C difference.
Rainfall
High and regular precipitation, more than 2000 mm per year.
Vegetation
Rainforest.
Dry Tropical / Monsoon Climate
Location
- Central Africa
- India
- Central America
- Areas surrounding the Equatorial climate zone
Temperature
High temperatures, greater than 20°C year-round. Hot weather.
Temperature Range
Small thermal amplitude, between 3°C and 10°C.
Rainfall
Irregular precipitation with two distinct seasons: a wet summer and a dry winter. High annual rainfall, typically 1000 mm to over 2000 mm.
Vegetation
Tropical Gallery Forest, Savanna.
Warm Desert Climate
Location
- Sahara Desert
- Kalahari Desert
Temperature
High average temperatures, typically higher than 20°C.
Temperature Range
Large thermal amplitude, significant differences between day/night and summer/winter.
Rainfall
Low and irregular precipitation, less than 200 mm per year.
Vegetation
Scarce vegetation, primarily found in oases.
Oceanic Climate
Location
- Western Europe
- South Coast of Chile
- West Coast of Canada
- New Zealand
Temperature
Moderate average temperatures, between 10°C and 15°C. Mild climate.
Temperature Range
Moderate thermal amplitude, typically between 10°C and 15°C. Mild/cool winters and cool summers.
Rainfall
High average precipitation, more than 800 mm per year. Regular rainfall, often with a peak in autumn.
Vegetation
Deciduous forest.
Mediterranean Climate
Location
- California
- Río de la Plata Basin (Argentina)
- Western Australia
- Circum-Mediterranean regions
Temperature
Moderate average temperatures, between 10°C and 15°C. Mild climate.
Temperature Range
Moderate to large thermal amplitude, between 15°C and 20°C. Mild winters and hot summers.
Rainfall
Moderate average precipitation, from 300 to 800 mm per year. Irregular rainfall pattern with dry summers. Potential for heavy rainfall events ('cold drops') in spring and autumn.
Vegetation
Evergreen forests, thickets (maquis, chaparral), steppe.
Continental Climate
Location
- Interior of continents in temperate latitudes
- Russia/Siberia
- Central Canada
- Northern China and Mongolia
Temperature
Low average temperatures, approximately between 0°C and 10°C.
Temperature Range
Large thermal amplitude. Cold winters and warm/hot summers.
Rainfall
Low to moderate precipitation, generally less than 600 mm per year. Irregular pattern: Dry winters and rainier summers.
Vegetation
Coniferous forests (Taiga) and temperate grasslands (meadows/prairies).
Polar Climate
Location
Regions within the Polar Circles (Arctic and Antarctic).
Temperature
Low temperatures, average typically below 0°C year-round (or only slightly above in the warmest month). Cold climate.
Temperature Range
High annual thermal amplitude, often greater than 25°C.
Rainfall
Low precipitation, occurring primarily as snow.
Vegetation
Tundra (mosses, lichens); ground often permanently frozen (permafrost).
High Mountain Climate
Location
High altitude zones in mountain ranges worldwide.
Temperature
Temperature decreases with altitude (approximately 6°C per 1000 meters). Generally a cold climate at higher elevations.
Temperature Range
Variable thermal amplitude, often more than 10°C, depending on altitude and specific location.
Rainfall
High precipitation, often more than 1000 mm per year. Precipitation generally increases with altitude up to a certain point and frequently falls as snow.
Vegetation
Vegetation is zoned according to altitude and adapted to cold temperatures and terrain (orography).