Climatic zones of Africa. Map of climatic zones of Africa

The geographic 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 there are no colds characteristic of temperate latitudes. But at the same time, the climatic zones of Africa, which diverge from the equator to the north and south, can not be compared. The structure of the continent 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.

Geographical location of the continent

In terms of size, 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 smaller in the southern hemisphere. This partly affects what climate zones in Africa are formed in one or other of its regions. It also largely influences the local terrain, the presence of flora and fauna. For example, in the northern part, where all the land is covered with impassable sands, as you know, plants and animals are at a minimum. But to the south, where there are tropical moist forests or even savannahs, the animal and plant world is richer, it appears before us in all its African originality and uniqueness.

Short description, table

The climatic zones of Africa begin with the equatorial belt.

• At zero latitude, the wettest natural zone of the continent is located, where the maximum amount of precipitation falls - more than 2000 mm per year.
• It is followed by a subequatorial band, where the amount of precipitation and natural resources is reduced. In a year there is no more than 1500 mm of moisture.
• The tropical climatic belt is the most extensive region of the continent. Depending on the hemisphere, the amount of precipitation here can vary from 300 to only 50 mm per year.
• The subtropical climate covers the edge of the coast in the north of the continent and the corner located in South Africa, in the very south. Both there and there is always windy and humid. In winter, temperatures drop by 7 degrees, compared with summer indicators. The amount of precipitation is estimated at 500 mm per year.

Equatorial latitudes

Enumerating all climatic zones of Africa, special attention should be paid to the equatorial zone, since on this continent it is considered to be the most unique, the most moist and fertile in terms of agriculture. It is located, of course, along the zero latitude, and covers such states as Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Ghana, Guinea, Benin, Cameroon and others adjacent to the Gulf of Guinea. The peculiarity of the equatorial climate is that it gets drier nearer to the east, but the maximum amount of precipitation falls on the western parts of the land.

Subequatorial zone

Africa is located in the climatic zones, which are characterized by hot temperatures, and a large part of its territory is occupied by the subtropics. It's a little bit drier than at the equator, the jungle and evergreen forests turn into savannahs. The peculiarity of this belt is that in the summer the equatorial winds blow here, which bring rains to the region and often fogs. In winter, tropical trade winds are observed, more arid and very hot, as a result of which the amount of rain decreases and the air temperature rises. In the North of Africa, the subequatorial belt encompasses countries such as Mali, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, etc. In the southern part of the continent are Tanzania, Kenya, Angola, Zambia Mozambique.

Tropics. Dry and windy

As the table above shows, the climatic zones of Africa are difficult to imagine without the tropics that occupy most of the continent. Their broadest stretch stretches in the northern part of the mainland, embracing the Sahara desert and all the surrounding 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 entire territory is covered with sands, blown dry by trade winds. Sand storms often occur. Among the animals inhabiting the Sahara, insects and reptiles are more common, which are selected only from the dunes at night. In the Southern Hemisphere, the tropics also fall on the Kalahari desert area. The climate here is very similar to the northern one, but it is characterized by a high amount of precipitation and less rapid daily temperature change.

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 pattern. So, in the northern part of the continent this zone extends a thin strip along the Mediterranean coast. It only receives the highest points of Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco, which are washed by the waves of this sea. The peculiarity of the local climate is that in winter, winds blow from the west, bringing moisture. Due to this, it is during the cold season here that the maximum amount of precipitation falls - about 500 mm. In the summer, winds change to tropical trade winds that bring heat, drought and even sand from the Sahara. Rains do not fall out at all, the temperature rises to the maximum. In the southern hemisphere, weather conditions are similar. The only peculiarity is that it is a narrow cape that is washed on all sides by the ocean. Evaporated moisture makes the air humid throughout the year, and precipitation here falls out not only in winter, but in all other seasons.

Madagascar and the Cape Verde Islands

African climatic zones cover not only the continent itself, but also the islands that belong to it - continental and volcanic. In the east, beyond the waters of the Straits of Mozambique, is the mainland island of Madagascar. It falls immediately into two climatic zones - subequatorial and tropical. True, both are not as dry as in Africa itself. Rains often happen, and the whole island literally drowns in evergreen plants and palms. The Cape Verde Islands lie in the Atlantic, to the west of the Gulf of Guinea. Here the climate is subequatorial, moist, but at the same time very windy. Precipitation falls evenly throughout the year.

Conclusion

We have just briefly reviewed all climatic zones of Africa. Grade 7 is the period when children get acquainted with the natural zones and climate of our planet. It is important that the child during this period does not miss anything and could quickly understand the belt in which we live, which are south, and which, on the contrary, go north. This will expand his horizons and allow him to better navigate in geography.