Geographical location Africa straddles the equator largely determines the climate of this corner of the globe.It is mainly in the tropics, because of cold weather typical of the temperate latitudes, there is not.But at the same climatic zones in Africa, which differ from the equator to the north and south, can not be compared with each other.The structure of the continent is such that in the two hemispheres, the same area has its own characteristics.And in order to learn the local weather and its characteristics, the article is a map of climatic zones in Africa and a brief description.
geographical position continent
The magnitude of Africa is the world's second largest continent after Asia.It is washed by two oceans - the Atlantic and Indian, few seas and straits.The geological structure of the land is such that their width is greater in the northern hemisphere, and less in the south.This partly affects some climatic zones in Africa in the form of certain of its regions.Also, to a large extent it affects the local topography, the presence of flora and fauna.For example, in the northern part, where all land covered by impassable sands, as you know, plants and animals at least.But to the south, where the tropical moist forests or savannahs, fauna and flora richer he appears before us in all its African identity and uniqueness.
Short description table
Climatic zones equatorial Africa begin with.
- at zero latitude is the most humid natural area of the continent, which falls maximum rainfall - more than 2,000 mm per year.
- is followed subequatorial strip where rainfall and natural resources is reduced.In the year there falls no more than 1500 mm of moisture.
- tropical climate zone - the vast area of the continent.Depending on the hemisphere, rainfall here can range from 300 to only 50 mm per year.
- subtropical climate covers the edge of the coast to the north of the continent and the area, located in South Africa, in the south.And there, and there's always windy and wet.In winter the temperature dropped to 7 degrees, compared with summer rates.Rainfall is 500 mm per year.
equatorial latitudes
lists all climatic zones in Africa, particular attention should be paid exactly the equatorial zone, as on this continent, it is the most unique, most humid and fertile in terms of agriculture.Located it is, of course, along the zero latitude, and includes countries such as Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Ghana, Guinea, Benin, Cameroon and the other adjacent to the Gulf of Guinea.A feature of the equatorial climate is that the closer to the east it becomes more dry, but in the western areas of land falls maximum rainfall.
sub-equatorial zone
Africa is located in the climatic zones, which are characterized by hot temperatures and a large part of its territory is occupied by the subtropics.There is a little drier than at the equator, the jungle and evergreen forests turn into savanna.A feature of this zone is that in the summer there are blowing equatorial winds that bring rain to the region and often fog.In winter, there are tropical trade winds, a dry and very hot, thereby reducing the amount of rain and the temperature rises.In the North African sub-equatorial zone covers countries such as Mali, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and others. In the southern part of the continent is Tanzania, Kenya, Angola, Mozambique, Zambia.
Tropical.Dry and windy
As we have already shown located above the table, climatic zones in Africa is hard to imagine without the tropics, which occupy a large part of the continent.Most of their broad band stretches in the northern part of the continent, covering the Sahara desert, and all the surrounding country.This is Egypt, the northern territory of Chad, Sudan and Mali and Mauritania, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Western Sahara, and many others.Rainfall here minimum - about 50 mm per year.The entire area is covered with sand, blown dry trade winds.Often it happens sandstorms.Among the animals that inhabit the Sahara more common insects and reptiles, which are selected from only the dunes at night.In the Southern Hemisphere tropics also occur in the region of the Kalahari Desert.The climate is very similar to the north, but is characterized by high rainfall and less abrupt change in daily temperatures.
subtropical areas
Finally, we consider the extreme climatic zones of Africa - subtropical.They occupy the smallest part of the continent in both the north and south, because little effect on the overall weather pattern.So, in the northern part of the continent, this area stretches thin polosochkoj along the Mediterranean coast.It gets only the highest point in Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco, which are washed by the waves of the sea.A feature of the local climate is that the winter winds here blow from the west, bringing moisture.Due to this cold time of the year here falls maximum amount of precipitation - about 500 mm.In summer, the wind changed to the tropical trade winds that bring the heat, drought, and even sand from the Sahara.The rains did not fall, the temperature is raised to the maximum.In the Southern Hemisphere, the weather conditions are similar.The only peculiarity is that it is a narrow promontory, which is washed on all sides by the ocean.Evaporates the moisture makes the air humid throughout the year, and rainfall then fall not only in winter, but also in all other seasons.
Madagascar and Cape Verde
Climatic zones in Africa include not only the continent, but also the island that he owns - the mainland and volcanic.In the east, the waters of the Strait Mozabikskogo is mainland island of Madagascar.He immediately falls in two climate zones - subequatorial and tropical.True, she and the other here are not as dry as in Africa itself.The rains are frequent, and the whole island is literally immersed in evergreen plants and palm trees.Cape Verde Islands are in the Atlantic, to the west of the Gulf of Guinea.Here the climate is sub-equatorial, humid, but at the same time very windy.Precipitation is evenly throughout the year.
Conclusion We have just briefly reviewed all the climatic zones of Africa.Grade 7 - a time when children learn about natural areas and our climate plnety.It is important that the child in this period did not miss anything and was able to quickly understand how, in what zone we live, which are located to the south and which, on the contrary, go to the north.It will expand its horizons and allow better orientation in geography.
