Australia - continent, which has been studied by Europeans immediately, distant and unusual.In addition, it is fully located in the other hemisphere, and is the smallest in the world.Examine its features will be interesting to anyone who wants to know about the climate and nature all over the earth.
Geography mainland
Australia derives from the Latin australis , which means "southern".Thus, the name of the continent is directly linked to its location.The extreme northern point of the continent is Cape York.To the south is the South East Point.Western Australia ends Cape Steep Point, and in the east - Byron.The length of the continent is 3200 kilometers from north to south.From west to east it occupies 4,100 km.Only in the early nineteenth century on the cards appeared Australia.General information on the continent has become available as a result of the many journeys of discovery.English captain Matthew Flinders skirted it completely and gave the name.The geography of the continent include several climatic zones and natural zones, each should be considered in detail.Around the continent are located a group of islands - Melville, Bathurst, Tasmania, Groote Eylandt, Derk-Hartog, Flinders Ranges, Fraser and Kangaroo.
waters around mainland
presence of the oceans directly affects what Australia has a climate.Rivers and lakes are also playing a role.The continent has no connection with the other continents, it is washed by the Pacific and Indian oceans.In the North Sea are located - the Arafura and Timor.The biggest gulf is the Gulf of Carpentaria.Along the southern and western coasts stretch of shallow water without obvious trends.To the east, bordering Australia Coral and Tasman seas, the relief which includes a deep depression.Along the island arcs are located trough.They can reach a depth of ten kilometers.
continue our conversation on this continent like Australia.Climate, Climatic zones and areas of this continent will be discussed further.
Subequatorial climate
this type of weather strip covers the north and north-east.Responding to a question, in what zones is mainland Australia, sub-equatorial climate is worth mentioning the first, along with tropical and subtropical.Distinguishes this area of small amplitude of the annual temperature and precipitation amounts impressive, sometimes reaching more than 2,000 millimeters.They bring to the ground monsoon.This means that going all summer.In winter, the air becomes dry, hot winds blowing from the continent, they can sometimes lead to drought.
tropical climate
Asked in any climatic zones is Australia, do not forget about this band.Especially on the mainland it is expressed in two ways.Humid tropical climate is extreme eastern part falling under the action of the southeast trade winds.Trade winds are full of moisture to the mainland air masses of the Pacific Ocean, well moistening the ground.On average, there falls to 1,500 millimeters of precipitation.The warmest month is different temperature of twenty-five degrees, the coldest - thirteen.
determine which climatic zones is Australia, do not forget about the impact of relief - for the Great Dividing Range to the masses of air to penetrate difficult, so there is only the rainfall on the western slopes and foothills.In the center and in the west - a deserted tropical climate with average temperatures of thirty degrees in the summer and in the winter the same as in the previous type.What is the climate in Australia's deserts?There is the hottest region.In the area of town called Alice Springs summer day the temperature can rise to plus forty-five, and at night fall below zero.These areas receive three hundred millimeters of rain a year.Sometimes the rain may not be for several years.
subtropical zones
subtropical climate is divided into three types - Mediterranean, humid and continental.The first features a south-western region.He, as is evident from the name, recalls the conditions of the European countries - France and Spain.The Mediterranean climate is characterized by hot and dry summer.Winter is wet and warm.The annual amplitude of temperature is not high enough: from 23 degrees in January and 12 in June.Rainfall up to a thousand millimeters.In the continental climate are located in New South Wales and the vicinity of Adelaide.The main features of this area is a small amount of precipitation and temperature fluctuations of the impressive year.Finally, sub-tropical humid climate is characteristic of the state of Victoria and south-western foothills.It has a mild weather with lots of rain.In summer the temperature reaches 24, the winter goes down to 15 degrees.The local edge are perfect for growing vegetables and fruit, grazing dairy cattle or sheep.
Now you know, in any climatic zones located mainland Australia, and can pay attention to other details.
zone of deserts and semi
addition to the climate, it is necessary to take into account the natural area.That, in any climatic zones is Australia, affects the zone data.So, one of the common areas are deserts and semi-deserts are typical for the northern part of the continent.Physical weathering leads to the appearance of specific relief.This area is distinguished by such a desert as the Great Sandy Simpson, the Great Victoria.They are characterized by high temperatures during the day with possible frost at night.Unlike the Australian desert from many others is that there is enough moisture for some vegetation.The fauna is represented poorly.In the zone of deserts and semi-antelope found, marsupial moles, hyenas, jackals.Dominated by a variety of jerboas and gerbils, and reptiles.The fixed sands contain a large number of animals than in the rocky area.
equatorial forest zone
As mentioned above, in which climatic zones is Australia, affects the natural area found here.Area humid equatorial forests are found on the east coast of Australia.To form such a large area is required humidity and precipitation of more than two thousand millimeters per year.Hot temperatures above twenty degrees, and this amount of rain provides a warm currents.In such an area, several layers with the upper plant reaching forty meters.Australian eucalyptus can reach even a hundred!In plants, these areas are very large leaves that remain green all year round.Here live a variety of snakes, frogs, spiders, lizards and insects.Animals often characterized by small size (for example, koalas).There are also monkeys.Larger animals simply could not move either in the lower or in the upper levels of the zone filled with thick branches, large leaves and large tree trunks.
savannah zone
That, in any climatic zones located mainland Australia, allows him to vary the particular geographic area.For example, sandstone savanna, located in the north, are a kind of natural attraction.Live from the mountains River flooded this area, resulting in a vast floodplain produced.So there is a wet savannah interspersed with the rain forest and small bushes.It grows a lot of herbs and shrubs.Knowing in which climatic zones is mainland Australia, you can not be surprised unique nature.However, the world-famous national park called "Kakadu" still can not be overlooked.This is an amazing place with pristine areas of vegetation.
