What Causes Climate

The land on the leeward side of a mountain range is in a rain shadow.
TRUE OR FALSE

TRUE

The climate zones lying between 23.5° and 66.5° north and south latitude are called the
a.temperate zones.
b.polar zones.
c.tropical zones.
d.subtropical zones

A. temperate zones

Near the end of both March and September,
a.spring begins in both hemispheres.
b.the sun’s rays strike Earth with the same intensity everywhere.
c.Earth’s axis is no longer pointing at the North Star.
d.neither end of Earth’s axis is tilted toward the sun.

D. neither end of Earth’s axis is titled toward the sun

Because of its high elevation, Mount Kilimanjaro has a cool climate all year.
TRUE OR FALSE

TRUE

The farther you live from an ocean, the more likely your climate will be a
a.marine climate.
b.tropical climate.
c.continental climate.
d.subtropical climate.

C. continental climate

The seasons are caused by
a.Earth’s varying distance from the sun.
b.Earth’s changing rate of rotation.
c.the tilt of Earth’s axis as Earth revolves around the sun.
d.shifting climates on Earth’s surface.

C. the tilt of Earth’s axis as Earth revolves around the sun

The main factors that affect an area’s temperature are prevailing winds and mountains.
TRUE OR FALSE

FALSE

The sun’s rays are least direct
a.near the poles.
b.near the equator.
c.at high altitudes.
d.far from the ocean.

A. near the poles

Oceans make the temperatures of nearby land more extreme.
TRUE OR FALSE

FALSE

Streams of water called ocean currents move warm or cold water, warming or cooling the nearby land.
TRUE OR FALSE

TRUE

Climate

Average weather pattern in an area over a long period of time; can be classified by temperature, humidity, precipitation, and vegetation.

Microclimate

Climate conditions within a small area that differ from those in the surrounding area.

Tropical Zone

The area near the equator, between about 23.5° north latitude and 23.5° south latitude.

Polar Zone

The areas near both poles from about 66.5° to 90° north and 66.5° to 90° south latitudes.

Temperate Zone

The areas between the tropical and the polar zones, from about 23.5° to 66.5° north and 23.5° to 66.5° south latitudes.

Marine Climate

The climate of some coastal regions with relatively warm winters and cool summers.

Continental Climate

The climate of the centers of continents, with cold winters and warm or hot summers.

Windward

The side of a mountain range that faces the oncoming wind.

leeward

The side of a mountain range that faces away from the oncoming wind.

monsoon

Sea or land breeze over a large region that changes direction with the seasons.