1. Unit 16
Major Climates of the Earth
Objectives
State the 3 major types of climate on Earth
Describe the distribution and characteristics of
the major climatic types in the world.

2. Major climates of the world

3. Tropical Climate
• Found between 23.5◦N and 23.5◦S of the
Equator.
• Little fluctuations of temperature with a small
diurnal temperature range.
• Max Daytime of 32◦C.
• Min temperature at night falls no lower than
20◦C.
• Annual rainfall is above 2000mm.

5. • Some examples are Brazil, India, Singapore,
Indonesia and Uganda.

6. Compare the climograph of India and
Singapore.

7. Temperate Climate
• Found between 30◦ to 50◦ north and south of
the Equator.
• Four seasons (spring, summer, autumn and
winter)
• Large temperature range.
• Summer can be as high as 34◦C and winter can
be below 0◦C.
• Precipitation can be in the form of rainfall or
snow and ranges from 500 mm to 1200 mm.

8. • Some examples of temperate climate are
Australia, New Zealand, Korea, France and USA.

10. Describe the differences between the
2 climographs.

11. Polar Climate
• Found in areas of high latitudes, from the Arctic
Circle (66.5◦N) to the North Pole, and from
Antarctic Circle (66.5◦S) to the South Pole.
• Large temperature range of over 40◦C.
• Mean monthly temperatures are below 10◦C all
year round.
• Summers are short and winters are long and very
cold.
• Annual precipitation of between 250mm to
400mm, mainly in the form of snow.

13. • Some examples of polar climate are northern
Russia, Iceland, Antarctica and northern
Canada.