What do I need to know about physical geography? Climate Characteristics World Climate Regions Temperature Low latitudes tropical wet, tropical – Precipitation wet and dry, arid, semiarid, highland Seasons(hot/cold; wet/dry) Middle latitudes semiarid, arid, – Mediterranean, humid continental, Climate Elements humid subtropical, marine west Influence of latitude (It gets colder coast, highland the farther north or south of the High latitudes subarctic, tundra, – equator you go) icecap Influence of winds Influence of elevation (It gets colder Vegetation Regions when you gain elevation) Rain forest (Amazon rain forest Proximity to water (water has a Brazil) moderating influence on climate Savanna (tropical grassland in – the summers are cooler and the Africa) winters warmer) Desert (Arid) Middle latitude forests Mountains Taiga (in subarctic climate, Rocky Mountains create rain coniferous trees) shadows on leeward slopes Tundra (cold grassland with some Himalayas block rain to create bushes, lichens, and mosses located steppes and deserts in Central Asia in northern Canada, Russia) Weather Phenomena Monsoons Seasonal wind that – brings rain to South and Southeast Asia. Causes flooding but provides water for crops Typhoons Same as hurricane in – Pacific Ocean Hurricanes Atlantic Ocean – Tornadoes United States – Effects of Climate Physical and Ecological Processes Crops Different crops grow in Earthquakes – different climates Floods Clothing Volcanoes Housing log houses in areas with Erosion – many trees, adobe houses in dry areas, tiled roof in Mediterranean Natural hazards droughts, floods –
What do I need to know about physical geography? Climate Characteristics Temperature Precipitation Seasons(hot/cold; wet/dry) Climate Elements Influence of latitude (It gets colder the farther north or south of the equator you go) Influence of winds Influence of elevation (It gets colder when you gain elevation) Proximity to water (water has a moderating influence on climate – the summers are cooler and the winters warmer) Mountains Rocky Mountains create rain shadows on leeward slopes Himalayas block rain to create steppes and deserts in Central Asia World Climate Regions Low latitudes – tropical wet, tropical wet and dry, arid, semiarid, highland Middle latitudes – semiarid, arid, Mediterranean, humid continental, humid subtropical, marine west coast, highland High latitudes – subarctic, tundra, icecap Vegetation Regions Rain forest (Amazon rain forest Brazil) Savanna (tropical grassland in Africa) Desert (Arid) Middle latitude forests Taiga (in subarctic climate, coniferous trees) Tundra (cold grassland with some bushes, lichens, and mosses located in northern Canada, Russia) Weather Phenomena Monsoons – Seasonal wind that brings rain to South and Southeast Asia. Causes flooding but provides water for crops Typhoons – Same as hurricane in Pacific Ocean Hurricanes – Atlantic Ocean Tornadoes – United States Effects of Climate Crops – Different crops grow in different climates Clothing Housing – log houses in areas with many trees, adobe houses in dry areas, tiled roof in Mediterranean Natural hazards – droughts, floods Physical and Ecological Processes Earthquakes Floods Volcanoes Erosion
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