Learn About Climate Zones
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What you will learn
- 1Describe the key features of the tropical, temperate, and polar climate zones
- 2Explain where each climate zone is located on Earth
- 3Sort examples into the correct climate zone
Mini Lesson
Climate is the typical weather pattern of a place over a long period of time — not just today's weather, but what it is usually like throughout the year. Earth has three major climate zones.
Tropical climate
- Found near the equator — the imaginary line around Earth's middle, where sunlight shines most directly all year.
- Hot and humid year-round; very little seasonal change in temperature.
- Receives heavy rainfall; supports lush rainforests and diverse wildlife.
- Example locations: Amazon Rainforest (Brazil), Central Africa, Southeast Asia.
Temperate climate
- Found in the middle latitudes — between the tropics and the polar regions.
- Has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter.
- Mild temperatures overall — not too hot, not too cold.
- Example locations: most of the United States, Europe, and China.
Polar climate
- Found near the North and South Poles.
- Extremely cold year-round; long, dark winters and very short summers.
- Very little rainfall — most precipitation falls as snow or ice.
- Example locations: Antarctica, northern Canada, Greenland, and Arctic Russia.
Words to know
Climate
The typical weather pattern of a place over a long period of time
e.g. Our climate is mild and has four seasons.
Weather
The condition of the air at a certain time — hot, cold, rainy, sunny, windy
e.g. Today's weather is sunny and warm.
Equator
The imaginary line around the middle of Earth
e.g. Places on the equator are hot all year.
Latitude
How far north or south a place is from the equator
e.g. Canada is at a high northern latitude.
Season
One of the four parts of the year: spring, summer, fall, or winter
e.g. Fall is my favorite season.
Precipitation
Any form of water that falls from the sky — rain, snow, sleet, or hail
e.g. Snow is the main precipitation in polar regions.
Ask yourself: "Which climate zone do I live in? How does the climate affect the plants, animals, and people in each zone?"
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