The geographical location of the African continent on both sides of the equator largely determines the climate of this corner of the globe. It is located mainly in the tropics, because the cold weather characteristic of temperate latitudes is not here. But at the same time, the climatic zones of Africa, which diverge from the equator to the north and south, cannot be compared with each other. The structure of the mainland is such that in the two hemispheres the same zone has its own characteristics. And in order to learn the local weather and its characteristics, the article presents a map of the climatic zones of Africa and their brief description.
Geographic location of the continent
Africa is the second largest continent in the world after Eurasia. It is washed by two oceans - the Atlantic and Indian, a few seas and straits. The geological structure of these lands is such that their width is greater in the northern hemisphere, and less in the southern. It's kind ofaffects which climatic zones in Africa are formed in one or another of its regions. It also largely affects the local relief, the presence of flora and fauna. For example, in the northern part, where all the lands are covered with impenetrable sands, as you yourself understand, there are a minimum of plants and animals. But to the south, where there are tropical rainforests or even savannas, the animal and plant world is richer, it appears before us in all its African originality and uniqueness.
Short description, table
Africa's climate zones begin with the equatorial.
- The wettest natural zone of the continent is located at zero latitude, where the maximum amount of precipitation falls - more than 2000 mm per year.
- It is followed by the sub-equatorial strip, where the amount of precipitation and natural we alth is reduced. No more than 1500 mm of moisture falls here a year.
- The tropical climate zone is the most extensive area of the continent. Depending on the hemisphere, rainfall here can range from 300 mm to as little as 50 mm per year.
- The subtropical climate covers the edge of the coast in the north of the mainland and a corner located in South Africa, in the very south. Both there and there it is always windy and humid. In winter, temperatures drop by 7 degrees, compared with summer figures. Rainfall is estimated at 500 mm per year.
Equatorial latitudes
Listing all the climatic zones of Africa, a specialattention should be paid specifically to the equatorial zone, since on this mainland it is considered the most unique, wettest and most prolific in terms of agriculture. It is located, of course, along zero latitude, and covers such states as Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Ghana, Guinea, Benin, Cameroon and others adjacent to the Gulf of Guinea. A feature of the equatorial climate is that closer to the east it becomes drier, but in the western parts of the land the maximum amount of precipitation falls.
Subequatorial zone
Africa is located in climatic zones characterized by hot temperatures, and a large part of its territory is occupied by the subtropics. Here it is a little drier than at the equator, the jungle and evergreen forests turn into savannahs. A feature of this belt is that in summer equatorial winds blow here, which bring rain and often fog to the region. In winter, tropical trade winds are observed, which are drier and very hot, as a result of which the amount of rain decreases and the air temperature rises. In North Africa, the subequatorial belt covers countries such as Mali, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, etc. In the southern part of the continent, these are Tanzania, Kenya, Angola, Zambia Mozambique.
Tropics. Dry and windy
As the above table has already shown us, Africa's climatic zones are hard to imagine without the tropics that occupy most of the continent. Their widest strip stretched in the northern part of the mainland, covering the desertSahara and all nearby countries. These are Egypt, the northern territories of Chad, Sudan, and Mali, as well as Mauritania, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Western Sahara and many others. The amount of precipitation here is minimal - about 50 mm per year. The whole territory is covered with sands, blown by dry trade winds. Often there are sandstorms. Among the animals inhabiting the Sahara, insects and reptiles are more common, which get out of the dunes only at night. In the Southern Hemisphere, the tropics also fall on the Kalahari Desert region. The climate here is very similar to the north, but is characterized by more rainfall and less abrupt daily temperature changes.
Subtropical regions
In conclusion, consider the extreme climatic zones of Africa - subtropical. They occupy the smallest part of the continent both in the north and in the south, therefore they have little effect on the overall weather picture. So, in the northern part of the mainland, this zone extends as a thin strip along the Mediterranean coast. Only the highest points of Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco, which are washed by the waves of this sea, fall into it. A feature of the local climate is that in winter winds blow from the west, bringing moisture. Due to this, it is during the cold season that the maximum amount of precipitation falls here - about 500 mm. In summer, the winds change to tropical trade winds, which bring heat, drought and even sand from the Sahara. It does not rain at all, the temperature rises to a maximum. In the Southern Hemisphere, weather conditions are similar. The only feature is thatit is a narrow cape, which is washed on all sides by the ocean. Evaporated moisture makes the air humid throughout the year, and precipitation falls here not only in winter, but also in all other seasons.
Madagascar and Cape Verde Islands
The climatic zones of Africa cover not only the continent itself, but also the islands that belong to it - mainland and volcanic. In the east, beyond the waters of the Mozambique Channel, is the mainland island of Madagascar. It falls into two climatic zones at once - subequatorial and tropical. True, both here are not as dry as in Africa itself. Rains happen often, and the whole island is literally immersed in evergreens and palm trees. The Cape Verde Islands lie in the Atlantic, west of the Gulf of Guinea. Here the climate is subequatorial, humid, but at the same time very windy. Precipitation falls evenly throughout the year.
Conclusion
We have just briefly reviewed all the climatic zones of Africa. Grade 7 is the period when children get acquainted with the natural areas and climate of our planet. It is important that the child during this period does not miss anything and can quickly figure out which zone we live in, which are located to the south, and which, on the contrary, go north. This will broaden his horizons and allow him to better navigate in geography.
