Chapter 3 Section 3 World Climate Regions In-Depth Resources: Unit 1

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1 Guided Reading A. Determining Cause and Effect Use the organizer below to show the two most important causes of climate Climate B. Making Comparisons Use the chart below to compare the different types of climates. Comparing Climates 1. tropical wet 2. tropical wet and dry 3. semiarid 4. desert 5. Mediterranean 6. marine west coast 7. humid subtropical 8. humid continental 9. subarctic 10. tundra 11. highland C. Map and Graph Skills Use the map on pages in your textbook to answer the following questions. 1. Location Along what lines of latitude are most tropical wet climates found? 2. Region At approximately what latitude is tundra found? Climate and Vegetation 25

2 MAP AND GRAPH SKILLS Interpreting a Climograph Relative location and other factors affect climate to such a degree that climates not only vary from region to region but within a region as well. For example, Brisbane receives steady precipitation and moderate temperatures throughout the year. On the other hand, summer heat is a problem in central Australia where temperatures have reached 140 F. A German Boy Scout died from exposure to the heat in this area when he wandered off for a few hours. In contrast, during the hottest months in Australia, people in Russia have to worry about frostbite. Temperatures there sometimes reach 30 F below zero. Climographs can help you prepare for the weather in different countries and in areas within a country. This information can be used for planning trips, agriculture, relocation, business, and safety. THE LANGUAGE OF GRAPHS Below are climographs for Moscow, Russia, and Brisbane, Australia. The vertical scale on the left shows the average temperature and on the right, the average precipitation. The time scale at the bottom indicates the months of the year, starting with January. The bars show the amount of precipitation, and the curved line shows the temperature. Climograph: Brisbane and Moscow 80 Brisbane, Australia 8 80 Moscow, Russia Temperature ( F) J F M A M J J A S O N D Humid Subtropical Precipitation (inches) Temperature ( F) J F M A M J J A S O N D Humid Continental Precipitation (inches) SOURCE: Fodor s World Weather Guide Climate and Vegetation 27

3 Map and Graph Skills continued Using Graph Skills Using the graph on the previous page, answer the following questions. 1. What type of clothes would you wear in January in Brisbane? 2. What type of clothes would you wear in January in Moscow? 3. In what month is the weather the most similar in Brisbane and in Moscow? 4. What month is the coldest in Brisbane? In Moscow? 5. What month(s) is the driest in Moscow? In Brisbane? 6. Peanuts need a warm, moist climate. Which area is more likely to grow this crop, Brisbane or Moscow? 7. If you like outdoor sports, such as swimming and golf, would you prefer taking a vacation in Brisbane or Moscow in April? Why? 8. Imagine you want to open a business selling winter sports equipment. Where do you think your business would have more success, Brisbane or Moscow? Why? 9. Imagine you have sinus problems and need a dry climate to get better. Would you be more likely to move to Moscow or Brisbane? Why? 10. Fir trees grow best in areas with moderate moisture, cool summers, and cold winters. Do you think you would have more success growing this type of tree in Moscow or in Brisbane? 28 UNIT 1 CHAPTER 3

4 SKILLBUILDER PRACTICE Creating and Using a Database A database is a collection of data, or information, that is organized so that you can find and retrieve information on a specific topic quickly and easily. Once a computerized database is set up, you can search it to find specific information without going through the entire database. Use the information on pages of your textbook to create and use a database for world climate zones. Then refer to the database you have created to answer the questions. (See Skillbuilder Handbook, page R15.) A. CREATING A DATABASE Climate Zone Termperature Precipitation Where Found Topical Wet always hot; rains daily; average South and Central average annual rain fall: America; Africa temperature 79 F about 100 inches Mediterranean summers dry and Europe; United hot; winters cool States; Australia and rainy Tropical Wet and Dry Semiarid Desert Marine West Coast Subarctic Earth s Climates Tundra Ice Cap B. USING A DATABASE 1. Which is the overall hottest climate? 2. Which is the overall coldest climate? 3. Which climates have an annual precipitation of less than 19 inches? 4. Which region contains the widest range of climates? 5. Which region would be the most ideal to live in if you like a warm climate? Climate and Vegetation 29

5 Reteaching Activity Reading Comprehension Find the missing word or phrase that best completes each of the sentences below. Write your answers in the blank. To define a (1), geographers must make generalizations about what the typical weather is like over many years in a location. World climate zones are generally divided into five large groups: (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6). These groups are divided into smaller regions. The (7) region has little variation in temperature over the year; it is always hot, with an average temperature of 79 F. The (8) region does receive precipitation, just not very much: about 18 inches per year. Summers are hot and winters are cold. (9) is categorized according to the amount of rainfall, rather than by landform, and can be hot or cold. This region receives less than ten inches of rain per year. The (10) region has summers that are dry and hot, and winters that are cool and rainy. The (11) region is located close to the ocean and is frequently cloudy, foggy, and damp. The (12) region has long periods of summer heat and humidity. Winters are mild to cool. The southern United States and large areas of China are examples. A great variety in temperature and precipitation characterize the (13) region, which is found in the mid-latitude interiors of Northern Hemisphere continents. The (14) region consists of flat, treeless lands that form a ring around the Arctic Ocean. The (15) region has snow and ice and permanently freezing temperatures. In fact, this region is so cold that it rarely snows. The climate of the (16) region varies with latitude, altitude, other topography, and continental location. In this region, climates can differ based on such factors as whether a mountain slope faces north or south, and whether it is exposed to winds carrying moisture. Climate and Vegetation 33