What are the major climatic zones of the world?

Do you know how many climate types exist in the world? And what are their characteristics? Of course, these questions are not easy to answer. But if you are looking for the answer to them, this post is something you must want to check out right now! Now, let’s learn basic things about the major types of climate in the world.

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There are 5 major climate types on the planet, including tropical climates, dry climates, temperate climates, continental climates, and polar climates. Each climate types, of course, have different characteristics and occur in certain regions of the world.

Dry climates

Like its name would suggest, dry climates are types of climates having very little moisture and humidity. Also, the chances of precipitation are always lower compared to the chances of evaporation.

Large ranges in daily temperatures are also a characteristic of dry climates. Day temperatures can go up to >49 degrees Celsius, while night temperatures may be <37 degrees Celsius.

In fact, 32.2% of land on Earth is covered in dry climates. If somewhere has dry climates, it is usually a desert. This climate zone can be found in Northern Mexico, central Australia, and more.

Arid and semi-arid zones are 2 subtypes are dry climates, in which arid climates are drier.

Temperate climates

The next one in this list of 5 main types of climate in the world is temperate climate or also mesothermal climate, which is used to distinguish the typical weather conditions in places with mild winters and humid, warm summers.

Temperate climate zones have average temperatures of 10 degrees Celsius and higher in the warmest months, and between 3 and 18 degrees Celsius during the coldest months.

You can find these climate zones in the northern regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. Mediterranean climates, marine climates, and humid subtropical climates are 3 subtypes of temperate climates.

Continental climates

Also known as microthermal climates, the continental feature frigid winters, and relatively warm summers. People living in the continental zones can experience snowstorms and bitterly cold temperatures of >-30 degrees Celsius in the winters.

Areas that have continental climates tend to appear in the central regions of landmasses, and/or on their east coast regions, north of 40 degrees North latitude.

There are two major subtypes of these types of climates, including humid continental climates and continental subarctic.

Polar climates

Polar climates are the last of 5 primary types of climate in the world that we want to introduce to you in this article. Polar climates, well, are climate types lacking a true summer.

Do you know that the temperatures in these climate zones all year round never rise above 10 degrees Celsius?

These climate zones just occur near both poles of the planet. Tundra climates and ice cap climates are 2 subtypes of polar climates, in which ice cap climates are the world’s coldest on Earth.

Tropical climates

Also known as Megathermal climates, well, tropical climates are characterized by constant warm temperatures. The average temperatures of a tropical climate zone usually are from 18 degrees Celsius all year round. Annually, it also receives up to 1500 millimeters of rainfall, on average.

This type of climate can be found in regions around the Equator, parts of South America, southern portions of Asia, the Pacific Ocean islands, and more. Brazil, Indonesia, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, … are countries famous for their tropical climates.

If subdivided, tropical climates consist of 3 different subtypes: the tropical wet climate (rainforest), tropical wet and dry climate (savanna), and tropical monsoon climate.

That the first one in this list of 5 major types of climates in the world. Let’s move on to learn about the other ones.

Conclusion

These are 5 primary types of climate in the world and their characteristics that we want to share with you via this article. Hope you found this post interesting and informative!

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