Since the equator passes through the northern part of South America, the mainland is mainly located in the equatorial, subequatorial and tropical climatic zones. Only South part the mainland is located in the subtropical and temperate zones (fig. 109).
V equatorial climate zone during the year, equatorial air masses dominate and an area of low atmospheric pressure is formed. Throughout the year, the air temperature remains almost unchanged and is about + 24 ° С. It rains every day from noon to four in the afternoon. They even got used to making appointments without naming the time, but simply saying: "after the rain." During the year, 1500-3000 mm of precipitation falls.
Subequatorial belt subject to the influence of two air masses: humid and warm equatorial summer, dry and hot tropical in winter. Therefore, here, as in similar climatic zones in Africa and Australia, there is a wet period in summer and dry in winter. The wet summer is called here inverio, dry and hot winter — verano.
Tropical climate zone in South America it occupies a much smaller area than in Africa and Australia. Within its borders, two climatic regions are distinguished. Large spaces sea area, located in the Brazilian Plateau. Under the influence of the South-East trade wind, over 1003 mm of precipitation falls here throughout the year. Annual amplitudes of air temperature fluctuations are small. Dry and sultry continental area stretches in a narrow strip along the western coast, as if repeating the outlines of the cold Peruvian current. Here, in the Atacama Desert, there are significant daily temperature drops (20-25 ° C). To the almost complete absence of precipitation (37 mm per year), thin air, ultraviolet radiation and hurricane winds are added.
V sub tropical belt there are also certain differences. A typical subtropical Mediterranean climate is formed only on the coast The Pacific... Here, under the influence of tropical air masses, summer is dry and hot. Winter is cooler (+10 ... 12 ° С ) and humid, which is caused by the influx of air masses from temperate latitudes. In the east of the mainland, which is influenced by the trade winds, the climate nautical, warm and humid all year round, in the interior - dry continental.Material from the site
V temperate there are two types of climate: nautical in the west and continental in the east. On the western slopes of the Andes in the temperate zone, where humid sea air comes with westerly winds, a lot of precipitation falls (from 2000 to 7000 mm per year). It is warm winter here (+8 ° C) and cool summer (+16 ° WITH). Outside the mountains on the Patagonia plateau, little precipitation falls. They are brought only by the wind that passes through the Andes. Annual precipitation is up to 300 mm per year. Summers are warm (+18 ° С), winters are cold (0 ° С). There are frosts, and sometimes it snows.
In the Andes, climatic conditions depend on the altitude zones. The higher you are in the mountains, the colder it is. Humidity first increases with altitude and then decreases. At the foot of the mountains, the climatic conditions correspond to the climatic conditions of the zone within which they are located. The tops of the mountains are often covered with snow and ice.
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Features of the climate of North America The climate of North America is influenced by climatic factors: geographical position continent, its size and configuration, relief, sea currents. Due to its geographical position, size and considerable length from north to south, the continent is part of all climatic zones except the equatorial one. The widest part of the continent falls on temperate latitudes. Therefore, the climate in the temperate zone [...]
The climate of South America, in contrast to Africa and Australia, is more humid. The formation of the climate is influenced by the main factors: geographic location, configuration of the territory, relief, ocean currents, atmospheric circulation. (Study the ocean currents off the coast of the mainland on a map and draw a conclusion about their influence on the climate.) Geographic location between 12 ° N. NS. and 56 ° S. NS. defines high [...]
Climatic zones The cycle of heat, moisture and the general circulation of the atmosphere shape the weather and climate in geographic envelope... Types of air masses, features of their circulation in different latitudes create conditions for the formation of the Earth's climates. The dominance of one air mass during the year determines the boundaries of climatic zones. Climatic zones are territories that encircle the Earth in a continuous or discontinuous strip; friend […]
South America has a great length from north to south, therefore it is located in five climatic zones. Diverse climatic conditions have made it possible to form here a large number natural areas. In the northern part of the mainland, there is a humid equatorial forest. It is called selva, which means "forest" in Portuguese. Selva occupies almost the entire Amazonian lowland and is the largest massif of rainfall [...]
The latitudinal zonation of the land cover in North America reflects a gradual increase in the amount of heat when moving from north to south and an increase in dryness in the south of the continent in the direction from east to west. On the territory of Canada, natural zones replace each other when moving from north to south. However, the natural zones of tundra and forests in the east of the continent are somewhat [...]
The main features of the climate of North America are determined by the considerable length of the continent from north to south (from arctic latitudes to subequatorial latitudes), the influence of the oceans surrounding the continent, and the specific relief. The distribution of annual amounts depends on the latitudinal position of the territory. solar radiation... The climatic influence of the oceans is expressed primarily in the diverse currents off the coast of the continent. Cold Labrador and California currents even in summer [...]
The climate of South America is determined by the geographical position of its territory, the peculiarities of the planetary circulation of the atmosphere, the influence of the surrounding waters of the oceans and ocean currents, as well as the peculiarities of the macro-relief. In contrast to Africa, South America is crossed by the equator not in the center, but in the northern part. Therefore, the continent stretches from the subequatorial latitudes of the northern hemisphere to the temperate latitudes of the southern hemisphere. In temperate latitudes [...]
The climatic conditions of Australia and Oceania are determined by the fact that most of their landmass lies close to the equator and between the tropics, surrounded by relatively warm water basins. Especially great importance has the Pacific Ocean with a system of trade winds of the northern and southern hemispheres existing above it, as well as continental massifs of Australia and Asia itself, noticeably cooling in winter and [...]
South America is located on either side of the equator, but most of it lies in the southern hemisphere. The widest part of the mainland lies between the tropics. The subtropical and temperate latitudes of the southern hemisphere include its narrowed and dissected margin. The influence of air masses coming from the Atlantic extends far into the interior of the continent along the plains wide open towards the ocean [...]
The Holarctic floristic region includes a significant part of North America. This area is divided into several subareas. Mexico and the southern United States are part of the Neotropical Floristic Region. Based on historical discoveries (paleogeography), it is generally accepted that Northern part the mainland in terms of floristic analysis is very close to Europe, but the southern part of the mainland is very close to South America. V […]
Mainland North America located in all climatic zones of the northern hemisphere, except for the equatorial. It has the greatest extent from east to west in temperate latitudes, while to the south it narrows, and enters the subtropical and arctic latitudes with its dissected and fragmented insular part. Therefore, the mainland is dominated by various types of temperate and subtropical climates. A very important role [...]
Climate is a long-term weather regime in a certain area of the Earth. It is quite natural that the climatic conditions in different parts the planets are very different. In geography, there are 7 main and 6 transitional climatic zones. The main ones include: equatorial, two subequatorial (in the northern and southern hemispheres), two tropical, two temperate, arctic and antarctic (polar). Transitional includes: two subequatorial, [...]
Due to the uneven heating of our planet by the Sun and the distribution of atmospheric precipitation over the earth's surface, the Earth's climates are very diverse. The first classifications of climates appeared in the 70s of the XIX century and were descriptive. According to the classification of Moscow State University professor B.P. Alisov, there are 7 types of climates on Earth that make up climatic zones. 4 of them are basic, and 3 are transitional. TO […]
Russia is located in the Northern Hemisphere east of prime meridian on the largest continent of the globe - Eurasia, in two parts of the world (apart from Russia, Turkey is simultaneously in Europe and Asia). Russia occupies about 1/4 of the territory eastern half Europe and 1/3 - the northern part of Asia. From the north, the country is washed by the waters of the seas of the North Arctic Ocean, from the east [...]
Climatic conditions in North America are extremely varied. This is the "northernmost" continent of the Earth, closest to the pole, at the same time, stretching for more than 7 thousand kilometers from north to south. The mainland is located in all climatic zones of the planet, excluding the equatorial belt. Due to such a variety of climate types in North America, almost all natural zones of the Earth have formed, [...]
Eurasia is the largest continent, occupying 1/3 of the entire land mass. The area of Eurasia is 53.4 million km2. Extreme points of Eurasia: North: Cape Chelyuskin (78 ° N, 104 ° E); South: Cape Piai (1 ° N, 103 ° E); Western: Cape Roca (39 ° N, 9 ° W); Eastern: Cape Dezhnev (67 ° N, 169 ° W). Eurasia is located in the northern hemisphere, as well as in the western and eastern. It is washed by waters [...]
The geographic shell of the Earth includes the biosphere, hydrosphere, part of the lithosphere and atmosphere. This is the largest natural complex, the surface of the globe, with a nature characteristic of the planet. Can be distinguished great amount smaller natural complexes - areas with a similar nature, different from other complexes. Oceans, seas, continents, mountain systems, rivers, lakes, swamps and much more are [...]
The world's oceans include all the seas and oceans of the Earth. It occupies about 70% of the planet's surface, it contains 96% of all the water on the planet. The world's oceans consist of four oceans: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian and Arctic. The size of the oceans Pacific - 179 million km2, Atlantic - 91.6 million km2 Indian - 76.2 million km2, Arctic - 14.75 [...]
The area includes the middle part of the Andes within Peru, Bolivia and Northern Chile and the adjacent part of the Pacific coast. The Andes within this area are greatly expanding, reaching their greatest width on the territory of Bolivia - 650 km. The area is stretched out a great distance from state border between Ecuador and Peru in the north to parallel 27 ° S. on […]
Asia is the largest part of the world. It accounts for more than 30% of the entire land area of the globe. It is located on the same continent with Europe, occupying most of it. Since there is no natural border between Europe and Asia, then, as already noted, different authors in different literary sources can find different interpretations of it. Therefore, the area [...]
Remember:
The question is: how are folded mountains formed?
Answer: Folded mountains - mountains folded, crumpled into folds rocks formed in the moving parts of the earth's crust at the boundaries of the collision lithospheric plates... On early stages development characteristic feature folded mountains is the correspondence of mountain ranges to convex folds (anticlines), and depressions between the ridges - to concave folds (synclines). Subsequently, the uplifting of the folds is accompanied by their ruptures, but nevertheless the folded structure prevails over the block structure. Folded mountains form two giant folded belts on Earth - the Pacific (Andes, Cordillera, mountains of the islands of the western outskirts of the Pacific Ocean) and the Alpine-Himalayan.
Question: In what climatic zone does the the largest number precipitation?
Answer: In the equatorial and subequatorial climatic zone, the largest amount of precipitation falls - 2000 mm. a year or more.
Question: What influence does the ocean have on the climate of the mainland?
Answer: The ocean absorbs a large number of heat, which is very important for the planet's climate. Water first accumulates heat, and then gradually releases it. This softens the Earth's climate and raises its temperature.
The climate is formed largely under the influence of the world's oceans. Half of the heat transferred from low latitudes to high latitudes and vice versa is circulated by water currents. Cold currents make the atmosphere more stable, weaken the vertical air transport between layers, and reduce cloudiness and air humidity. Cold currents are mainly directed from the south or north to the tropics.
Warm ocean currents, on the other hand, increase convection in the atmosphere and help humidify the air even at high altitudes. These currents are usually directed from low to high latitudes. Accumulating and reliably storing heat, the ocean controls the planet's climate, distinguishing two main zones in it: continental and maritime. The maritime climate is typical for all land areas washed by the seas, continental - for deep land masses. Typical example sea climate can be considered a climate British isles: even temperature throughout the year, cool summers and mild winters, cloudy skies and rains all year round... The central regions of Siberia have a continental climate: Cold winter and hot summers, droughts give way to thunderstorms. The central regions of Asia have a sharply continental climate: rampant in winter very coldy, and in summer the cloudless sky and the scorching sun turn everything around into a space languishing with heat and dust.
Question: What are the types of river feeding?
Answer: Depending on the power source, the types of river feeding are distinguished: rain, snow (from the melting of the snow cover), glacial (from the melted waters of glaciers), underground. The type of river feeding depends mainly on the climate of the area from which the river and its tributaries collect water. As a rule, the river has more than one source of power. In this case, the type of food is called mixed or the prevailing one is determined.
Question: What are ore minerals?
Answer: Ore is a type of minerals, a natural mineral formation containing compounds of useful components (minerals, metals) in concentrations that make the extraction of these components economically feasible. Ore minerals include iron ores and non-ferrous metal ores.
DETERMINE:
Question: coordinates extreme points mainland.
North - Cape Galinas 12 ° 25 "N, 71 ° 39" W.
South - Cape Froward 53 ° 54 "S, 71 ° 18" W.
Western - Cape Parinyas 4 ° 40 "S, 81 ° 20" W.
Eastern - Cape Cabo Branco 7 ° 10 "S, 34 ° 47" W.
Question: The position of the continent in relation to the equator, tropics, polar circle, prime meridian.
Answer: South America is crossed by the equator, most of the mainland is located in the Southern Hemisphere.
The southern tropic crosses the mainland almost in the middle.
The polar circles do not cross the mainland.
In relation to the prime meridian: South America lies to the west of the prime meridian, so all points on the mainland will have a western longitude.
Question: What seas and oceans wash the mainland?
Answer: Oceans: Pacific, Atlantic, Sea: Caribbean, Strait: Magellanic
Question: How are South and North America connected, what separates them?
Answer: South and North America are connected by the Isthmus of Panama and separated by the Panama Canal.
Question: What separates South America from Antarctica?
Answer: Drake Passage.
Question: How is South America separated from other continents?
Answer: The waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and the conditional border between North and South America along the Panama Canal located on the Isthmus of Panama.
My geographic research:
Question: In what climatic zones is the mainland located?
Answer: South America is located in the equatorial, subequatorial, tropical, subtropical and temperate climatic zones.
Question: In what direction does the amount of precipitation decrease in these belts?
Answer: In the equatorial and subequatorial climatic zone, the largest amount of precipitation falls, up to 3000mm. per year, in tropical and subtropical climatic zones there is little precipitation, only on the eastern coast of the mainland in the tropical and subtropical zones, washed by warm currents, up to 1000 mm of precipitation falls.
In the temperate climatic zone, the amount of precipitation increases again: over the oceans and on the coasts - up to 2000 mm. per year, inside the mainland, on average, about 500 mm. in year.
Question: In which climatic zone the most precipitation falls?
Answer: In the equatorial and subequatorial climatic zone, the largest amount of precipitation falls, up to 3000 mm. in year.
Question: What large landforms are located within the largest climatic zone in terms of area. In what season of the year in this zone the main amount of precipitation falls.
Answer: The main part of the territory of South America is located in the equatorial, subequatorial climatic zones, large relief forms include: the Andes mountain system passing through the entire territory of the mainland (in part), the Amazonian, Orinoco, La Plata lowlands, the Brazilian and Guiana highlands.
Equatorial climate zone - heavy rainfall throughout the year. Subequatorial climatic zone - in the southern hemisphere, the rainy period lasts from about December to May, and its duration increases towards the equator, in the north the rainy period lasts from May to December.
Question: Using maps and climatograms, determine how much precipitation falls on the Pacific coast of South America in temperate and tropical climates. Explain the reasons for the differences.
Answer: The Pacific coast between 5 and 30 ° S latitude. lies in the region of the climate of coastal deserts and semi-deserts, which is influenced by the cold Peruvian current. At high relative humidity (89%), very little precipitation falls here, no more than 100 mm. in year.
On the Pacific coast of the temperate climate zone, the climate is maritime. It is formed under the influence of westerly winds that bring a lot of precipitation (about 2000 mm per year).
Questions and tasks:
Question: What parts can the continent be divided into according to the relief, explain how the structure of the earth's crust is reflected in the relief?
Answer: The mainland can be divided in the meridional direction into the eastern mountainous and western relatively flat parts. The eastern part of the continent is located on the ancient South American platform, on its shields the Brazilian and Guiana plateaus were formed, and on the plates - the lowlands: Amazonian, Orinokskaya, La Platskaya. In the south of the mainland, between the Andes and the Atlantic Ocean, Patagonia is located - a stepped plateau, up to 2000 m above sea level. The Andes mountain belt has a folded structure and was formed during the Gondwana period, but mountain building continues today due to the movement of lithospheric plates, which leads to destructive earthquakes.
Question: What types of climate on the continent are predetermined by its geographic location?
Answer: In the equatorial zone there is an equatorial constantly hot and constantly humid type of climate.
In the subequatorial zone, there is a subequatorial, constantly hot and variably humid type of climate.
In the tropical zone - tropical humid and tropical desert type of climate.
In the subtropical zone there is a Mediterranean and continental type of climate.
In the temperate zone - temperate maritime, temperate continental.
Question: How does the relief of the mainland affect the amount of precipitation?
Answer: The Andes mountain belt determines the amount of precipitation on the mainland. The high Andes prevent air masses from the Pacific Ocean from entering the mainland and its influence extends to the climate of narrow coastal plains and adjacent mountain slopes, and air masses from the Atlantic freely penetrate the mainland, so that even the interior regions of the continent receive a sufficient amount of precipitation, therefore South America is the most humid continent on the planet.
Question: To the basin of which ocean does most of the rivers of South America belong, what is this connected with?
Answer: Most of the rivers belong to the basin Atlantic Ocean
A large amount of precipitation brought from the Atlantic, vast plateaus, gently sloping down to huge lowlands and plains, collecting runoff from the adjacent slopes of the Andes, contributed to the formation of large river systems: Amazons, Orinoco, Paranas with Paraguay. Uruguay; in the Andes, the largest is the system of the river. Magdalena, flowing in the longitudinal depression of the humid Northern Andes.
Question: Give examples of endemic species in South America, how can you explain their large number.
Answer: The presence of a large number of endemics is explained by the meridional length of the continent and its long-term isolation from other continents.
Endemic species include representatives of the plant family of cactus, nasturtium, bromeliads; endemic animals include: broad-nosed American monkeys, anteaters, hummingbirds, ostriches, rhea, toucans, cougars, llamas, etc.
Question: What natural area occupies the largest area on the mainland?
Answer: The largest area on the mainland is occupied by the natural zone of forests (wet and variable-wet), because 40% of the world's forests are concentrated in South America.
Question: What minerals is South America rich in?
Deposits of uranium and iron ore, polymetals, copper, tin, precious metals, bauxite (as a raw material for the production of aluminum), oil, gas.
South America is located on either side of the equator, but most of it lies in the southern hemisphere. The widest part of the mainland lies between the tropics. The subtropical and temperate latitudes of the southern hemisphere include its narrowed and dissected margin.
Influence of air masses coming from the Atlantic distributed by far inland along the plains wide open towards the ocean to the very foot of the Andes.
The western coast of South America is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean, which have a significant negative temperature anomaly off the coast of the mainland, which is caused by the cold Peruvian Current. Pacific air masses, due to the existence of the Andes barrier, have an impact on climate only a narrow strip of land adjacent to the ocean.
Climatic conditions of South America are determined mainly by the effect of equatorial air masses forming over the mainland. These air masses are characterized by a high moisture content and low temperature ranges throughout the year. They move from one hemisphere to another by the equatorial monsoons of the northern and southern hemispheres and cause precipitation.
The tropical air of marine origin has a great influence on the climate. It forms in tropical anticyclones over the oceans and enters the mainland with trade wind air currents. Its properties are close to equatorial air masses.
Continental tropical air is formed over the mainland in tropical latitudes through the transformation of sea air. It is distinguished by its comparative dryness and significantly higher annual temperature ranges than the equatorial and marine tropical air.
The influence of air masses in temperate latitudes affects only the extreme south of the continent.
In January, northern South America falls under the influence of tropical air masses of the dynamic maximum of the northern hemisphere. These air masses rush in the form of a northeast trade wind towards the region reduced pressure on the mainland, located at this time south of the equator. In this regard, drought occurs on the northern outskirts of South America. Only in the northeast of the mainland, on the slopes of the Guiana Highlands and on the coastal lowlands, the trade wind, coming directly from the Atlantic Ocean, leaves a certain amount of precipitation.
Over the equatorial part of the Amazonian lowland, tropical air is humidified and, rising upward, gives abundant convective precipitation. Penetrating into the area of reduced pressure south of the equator, the northeast trade wind changes its direction to the north and northwest and turns into the equatorial monsoon of the southern hemisphere. Over a wide area south of the equator, it leaves heavy rainfall, irrigating much of the Brazilian Highlands and the Gran Chaco plain.
From the side of the South Atlantic anticyclone towards the heated continent, monsoon winds blow, bringing rains to the southeastern edge of the Brazilian Highlands and the La Plata lowland.
Most of the west coast, ranging from subtropical latitudes and almost before the equator is influenced by the eastern periphery of the Pacific anticyclone and receives no precipitation. Only a stretch of coastline north of Guayaquil Bay is affected by equatorial air masses and is irrigated abundant rains.
Humid oceanic air is brought to the extreme south of the continent from the west. At the same time, the coast of the Pacific Ocean and especially the western slopes of the Andes receive abundant precipitation, and Patagonia, under the cover of the Andes, turns out to be the center of the formation of relatively dry continental air masses of temperate latitudes.
In July, the entire continent falls under the influence of humid equatorial air brought in by the southwestern equatorial monsoon, and no less humid tropical marine air coming from the Atlantic Ocean.
Set over the Brazilian Highlands high pressure(and as a consequence - dry weather), due to the northward movement of the tropical maximum of the southern hemisphere. Only south eastern the outskirts of the highlands are affected by the southeastern trade winds coming directly from the Atlantic Ocean and receive significant amount precipitation, although much less than in summer.
In subtropical and temperate latitudes southern hemisphere is dominated by low pressure and cyclonic rains fall. Only Patagonia remains the center of relatively dry and cold air formation, which at times breaks through to the north and penetrates up to the Amazonian lowland, causing significant drops in temperature and even snowfall there.
Over the central part of the Pacific coast, in July as in January, from 30 ° S. NS. to the equator, southerly and southwesterly winds prevail, blowing parallel to the coast over the waters of the cold Peruvian Current. This leads to great dryness on the Pacific coast in these latitudes. Only in its northern section, where the southeastern trade wind passes into the southwestern monsoon, a significant amount of precipitation falls.
Like Africa, South America is mainly located within the equatorial, subequatorial and tropical climatic zones. Only in the extreme south does it enter the subtropical and temperate zones. But the relative position and width of these are the same as and the ratio of climatic regions inside them other than Africa. This is primarily determined by the features of the orography of South America, which are sharply different from the features of the orography of the African continent.
In the equatorial part, South America reaches a great width, the relief does not prevent the development of zonal climatic conditions there. The equatorial climate belt in South America includes almost all of the Amazonian lowlands, except for the eastern part and the extreme south, and the adjacent parts of the Guiana Highlands and Orinoco Lowlands. The equatorial belt also includes a segment of the Pacific coast north of the equator.
The entire belt is characterized by abundant rainfall throughout the year. Annual amounts they range from 1500 to 2500 mm and only on the slopes of the Andes, on the Pacific coast, the amount of precipitation increases to 5000-7000 mm per year. Precipitation in this area throughout the year is brought by southerly and southwesterly winds and large amounts of them are explained by orographic reasons. In the Amazonian lowland, most of the precipitation falls due to convective processes in the equatorial air masses. The temperatures in the area are high and vary little with the seasons. Average temperatures for all months range from 25-27 °.
The entire northern part of South America, including the Orinoco Lowlands, the Caribbean Sea coast, a significant part of the Guiana Highlands and the Guiana Lowlands, lies in the subequatorial climate belt. The subequatorial belt of the southern hemisphere includes the north of the Brazilian Highlands and the southern part of the Amazonian lowland. In the east, the subequatorial belts of the northern and southern hemispheres are interconnected. This belt also includes a part of the Pacific coast from the equator to 4-5 ° S. NS.
A distinctive feature of the subequatorial climate - the seasonality in the distribution of precipitation - is expressed throughout this territory quite clearly. In the southern hemisphere, in the Brazilian Highlands, in the south of the Amazon Lowland and in the lower reaches of the Amazon, the equatorial monsoon rainy season lasts from about December to May, with he lengthens from south to north, gradually passing into a year-round wet period. In the north, the rainy season lasts from May to December. In winter, there is no precipitation during the trade winds. Only in those areas where the trade winds, coming from the ocean, meet mountains on their way, it rains in winter time... This occurs in the northern stretch of the coastal Brazilian Highlands and northeastern Guiana. Annual precipitation within the entire subequatorial belt is 1500-2000 mm. Only the northeastern Brazilian Highlands receives less than 1000 mm of rainfall, as humid air currents are intercepted by the elevated outskirts of the highlands and penetrate into the area transformed. Most high temperatures happen, as in Africa, during the transition period between the end of the dry and the beginning of the wet season, when the average monthly temperatures rise to 29-30 °. At the same time, in no month does the average temperature drop below 20 °.
South America is part of the tropical climatic zone only in the southern hemisphere. The east and southeast of the Brazilian Highlands are in a humid climate (windward shores) where rainfall throughout the year is brought in by tropical air currents from the Atlantic.
Climbing the slopes of the mountains, this air leaves a large amount of precipitation on the windward side. According to the precipitation regime, this climate is close to the climate of the Amazon lowland, but is characterized by more significant temperature differences between the hottest and coolest months.
Inside the mainland in the tropical zone (Gran Chaco Plain), the climate is arid, with a maximum summer precipitation and a sharply expressed dry winter.
This climate in terms of precipitation is close to subequatorial, but differs from it in sharp jumps in temperature, especially in winter, and in lower annual precipitation.
Pacific coast between 5 and 30 ° S. NS. lies in the region of the climate of coastal deserts and semi-deserts. This climate is most vividly expressed in the Atacame Desert. The region is under the influence of the eastern periphery of the Pacific anticyclone and temperature inversions created by the constant influx of relatively cold air from high latitudes. With a relative humidity of up to 80%, very little precipitation falls - in some areas, only a few millimeters a year. Some compensation for the almost complete absence rains the abundant dew that falls on the coast in winter serves. Temperatures of even the hottest months are moderate (they rarely exceed 20 ° C) and seasonal amplitudes are small.
South of 30 ° S NS. South America is part of the subtropical climatic zone. A number of areas are highlighted in it.
Southeast of the mainland ( southern the outskirts of the Brazilian Highlands, the territory of Uruguay, between the Parana and Uruguay rivers, the eastern part of Pampa) lies in an area of uniformly humid subtropical climate. In summer, moisture is brought to the region by northeasterly monsoon winds. In winter, precipitation falls due to cyclonic activity along the polar front. Summers in the region are very hot, winters are mild, with average monthly temperatures of about + 10 °, but temperature drops are significantly below 0 ° due to invasions of relatively cold air masses from the south.
The inland regions of the subtropical belt (western Pampa) are characterized by an arid subtropical climate. Moisture from the Atlantic Ocean gets there a little, and precipitation (no more than 500 mm per year), falling in summer, is mainly of convective origin. In the region, there are sharp fluctuations in temperature and their frequent decrease in winter below 0 °, with average monthly temperatures less than + 10 °.
On the Pacific coast (from 30 to 37 ° S lat.) The climate is subtropical with dry summers. Under the influence of the eastern periphery of the Pacific anticyclone, the summer there is almost rainless and not hot (especially on the coast itself). Winters are mild and rainy. Seasonal temperature amplitudes are insignificant.
Into the temperate zone (south of 40 ° S lat.) South America comes in at its narrowest part. There are two climatic regions.
The southeast of South America (Patagonia) lies in a climate transitional from oceanic to continental, but very arid. This area is the center of the formation of the continental air of temperate latitudes. Precipitation in these latitudes is brought by westerly winds, the way of which to Patagonia is blocked by the Andes, therefore their number does not exceed 250-300 mm. In winter, there are severe colds due to with penetration of cold air from the south. Frosts reach 30, 35 °, but the average monthly temperatures are positive.
In the extreme southwest of the mainland and on the coastal islands, the climate is moderately warm, oceanic. All this area is under the influence of intense cyclonic activity and the influx of oceanic air from temperate latitudes. On the western slopes of the Andes, rainfall is particularly high in winter. It rains in summer smaller, but cloudy weather prevails. Annual precipitation amounts everywhere exceed 2000 mm. The differences in temperatures between summer and winter months are small.
The inner plateaus of the Andes, located on either side of the equator, are characterized by a mountainous equatorial climate, with annual temperature variations moderated by altitude. At the same time, the daily amplitudes are quite significant, as in general in conditions mountain climate. , but their number is much less than on the plains at the same latitudes.
The central Andean plateaus are characterized by a climate of high-mountainous tropical deserts and semi-deserts (dry and sharply continental). The amount of precipitation there is negligible, and the temperature differences between seasons and especially during the day are very sharp.
South America is the fourth largest continent divided into two sectors by the equatorial line. Most of it is located in the equatorial belt, subtropics and tropics. This geographical location has determined the specific climate of South America, which is characterized by high humidity and stable warm weather.
Climate description
South America is the wettest continent on the planet. Inland waters of the continent are replenished annually big amount precipitation, which is especially abundant in the Amazon Delta. This is due to the fact that most of the continent is located in the equatorial belt.
The following factors influence the formation of the climate:
- relief features;
- circulation of atmospheric masses;
- ocean currents.
The mainland is located in six geographical zones, short description which are presented in the table and climatograms.
Table "Characteristics of the climatic zones of South America"
|
Climatic zone |
Air masses |
Average temperature in January, С |
Average temperature in July, С |
Annual precipitation, mm |
|
Equatorial |
Equatorial |
Up to 5000 all year round |
||
|
Subequatorial |
Equatorial in summer, tropical in winter |
Around 2000 in the summer |
||
|
Tropical |
Tropical |
Less than 100 in the west to 2,000 in the east |
||
|
Subtropical |
Tropical in summer, moderate in winter |
From 100 in the west to 1000 in the east |
||
|
Moderate |
Moderate |
From 250 in the east to 5,000 in the west |
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Rice. 1. Climatograms of South America
Equatorial belt
In the conditions of the equatorial belt, a stably warm and very humid climate is formed. The amount of atmospheric precipitation falls up to 5000 mm throughout the year.
High humidity, reaching almost 100%, is caused by the following factors:
- warm ocean currents;
- topography of the mainland - the plains located in the east allow moist air masses to freely move inland, where they linger at the foothills of the Andes and fall in the form of heavy downpours.
Throughout the year in this region, very warm weather reigns, and the air temperature never drops below 20-25C.
On the territory of the equatorial belt of South America, there is a unique natural complex - constantly wet forests or selva. The incredibly abundant vegetation, which occupies an impressive territory, is the "lungs of the planet" as it produces a large amount of oxygen.
Rice. 2. Forest tracts of selva
Subequatorial belt
TO equatorial belt South America is adjoined on both sides by subequatorial belts. Less precipitation falls here (up to 1500-2000 mm per year). At the same time, they fall out in seasons, and as they move inland, they become even smaller - about 500-1000 mm.
The rainy season is in the summer, but remember if in the north of the mainland summer period it is considered June-August, then in the south it is already December-February.
Throughout the year, the weather changes very little, and even in winter the air temperature is kept within 15-25 degrees Celsius.
Tropical belt
The tropics of South America are in many ways different from the tropics of other continents. Despite the fact that in this region a transitional seasonally humid climate is being formed and the duration of dry winter period, it still has sufficient moisture.
This is due to the predominance of flat relief in the east and the influence of warm currents. As a result, there are practically no desert areas in the South American tropics, with the exception of a small area in the western part.
Rice. 3. Atacama Desert
Subtropical belt
The subtropics of South America occupy a small area of the mainland. Influenced by cold currents, the climate in this region is characterized by aridity - no more than 400-500 mm falls annually. atmospheric precipitation.
There are 3 types of natural zones on the territory of the subtropics of South America:
- steppes (pampa or pampas);
- deserts and semi-deserts;
- evergreen stiff-leaved forests.
Temperate zone
The outskirts of the continent are located in the temperate climatic zone. Almost all of its territory is occupied by deserts, which is not at all typical for it. However, this imbalance is caused by strong impact cold currents that block the entire territory from humid air masses.
The air temperature in the region is not too high due to the influence of the Arctic: in summer it does not exceed 20C, and in winter it drops to 0C and below. The amount of atmospheric precipitation is very small - less than 250 mm. in year.
What have we learned?
When studying one of the interesting topics in the 7th grade geography program, we found out in which climatic zones South America is located, and also briefly considered the main features of each of them.
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