Unit 1: The Basics of Geography

Chapter 3: Physical Geography

Weather

• Condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time

• Climate-weather conditions a particular location over a long period of time.

• Causes: water vapor, cloud cover, landforms, elevation, air movement

Weather Extremes

• Hurricanes/typhoons

• Tornadoes

• Blizzards

• Droughts

• Floods

Factors Affecting Climate

• Wind currents

• Ocean Currents

• Zones of Latitude

• Elevation

• Topography

• Global Warming

World Climate Regions

• 5 large regions: tropical, dry, mid-latitude, high latitude, highland.

• Sub-regions exist too…

Sub-Regions

• Tropical Wet

– Always hot

– Sunny in the morning but rain daily

– Lots of rainfall: 80 inches a year

– Central and South America

– Africa, Southwest Asia

Sub-Regions

• Tropical Wet and Dry

– Rainy season in summer

• Warmer temps

– Dry season in winter

• Cooler temps

– Rainfall is less than in tropical wet

– Africa, South and Central America, parts of Asia

Sub-Regions

• Semiarid

– Less than 20 inches of rain a year

– Summers are hot

– Winters are mild to cold

– Interior of continents, usually near deserts

Sub-Regions

• Desert

– Hot or cold

– Less than 10 inches of rain

– Hot deserts: typically in southern hemisphere

– Cold deserts: typically in northern hemisphere

Sub-Regions • Mediterranean

– Dry and hot summers

– Cold and rainy winters

• Tundra – Near Arctic

Ocean

– Permafrost

– Less than 15 inches of rain

– Summer lasts only for a few weeks

Sub-Regions

• Other sub-regions:

– Marine West Coast

– Humid Subtropical

– Humid Continental

– Subarctic

– Highlands

Soil and Vegetation Regions

• Ecosystem: interdependent community of plants and animals

– Regional ecosystem: biome

• Forest, grassland, desert, tundra

Soil and Vegetation Regions

• Forestlands

– Deciduous trees: drop leaves in the fall

– Coniferous trees: cones, don’t drop leaves/needles

– Rain forest

Soil and Vegetation Regions

• Grasslands

– Savanna

– Steppe/prairie

Soil and Vegetation Regions

• Desert and Tundra

– Animals and plants in these areas adapt to the cold/dry climate conditions