Geography Chapter on Climatic Regions
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Questions and Answers

An area defined by characteristic, long-term weather patterns is called?

  • a biome
  • a climatic region (correct)
  • an average weather place
  • an ecosystem

    • Many of the desert regions of the southwestern U.S. have developed as a result of?

  • their interior position within the continent
  • the presence of mountains to the west of their location
  • their location within a low-pressure zone
  • all of the above
  • A and B only (correct)

    • Climate is?

  • the weather of a region
  • a reference to temperature patterns only
  • the long-term atmospheric conditions, including extremes that may occur (correct)
  • the short-term condition of the atmosphere

    • As distance from the equator increases, seasonal variation in temperature tends to?

    <p>increase</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which climate is characterized by the largest change in monthly average temperatures?

    <p>Subarctic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Based on principles discussed earlier in the course, you know that coastal areas located adjacent to cold ocean currents experience __________.

    <p>less precipitation than areas located adjacent to warm currents</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which of the following areas would the least amount of precipitation occur?

    <p>on the leeward side of a mountain range in the interior of a continent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Based on principles discussed earlier in the course, you know that areas dominated by maritime air masses will be relatively __________, and that those dominated by cT air masses will be relatively __________.

    <p>wet; dry</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Regarding average annual precipitation, which of the following is correct?

    <p>The highest average values occur along the equator.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Duluth, Minnesota, Moscow, and Saint Petersburg, Russia are within which climate classification?

    <p>Humid continental, mild summer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is not true of the tundra zone?

    <p>It is found only in the southern hemisphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following lists the correct, generalized sequence of climates from the equator to the poles?

    <p>Tropical → Desert → Mesothermal → Microthermal → Polar</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of plants grow in desert climates?

    <p>xerophytic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A climate that is mesothermal and has a long, hot, dry summer would be designated by which of the following?

    <p>Mediterranean</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The tropical rain forest climate receives most of its rainfall as a result of?

    <p>convectional uplift</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is false regarding the tropical rain forest climate?

    <p>The annual temperature range is larger than the daily temperature range.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is false regarding the tropical rain forest ecosystem?

    <p>Low-growing vegetation is dense on the forest floor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following climate types is characterized by soils that are so wet they are extremely low in nutrients?

    <p>Tropical rain forest</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The dry season in the tropical monsoon climate occurs when?

    <p>the ITCZ is not overhead</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following characterizes a tropical savanna climate?

    <p>It experiences a wet summer and dry winter, and is dominated by the ITCZ for 6 months or less during the year.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The tropical savanna climate has?

    <p>the ITCZ in summer and the subtropical high in winter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Pacific Northwest region of the U.S. is a moist environment because of?

    <p>all of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Humid subtropical hot summer climates typically experience?

    <p>Asia; dry winters due to monsoonal conditions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is not true of marine west-coast climates?

    <p>These climates experience very cold winters because of their high latitude (about 45° to 55° north)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Precipitation mechanisms in marine west-coast climates do not include which of the following?

    <p>ITCZ</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is false regarding the Mediterranean classification?

    <p>The bulk of precipitation occurs in the summer months.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Mediterranean dry-summer climates?

    <p>experience dry conditions in summer due to the subtropical high overhead.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is true of the Mediterranean climate?

    <p>dry summers and wet winters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Los Angeles, located in a Mediterranean climate zone, is kept __________ during the summer because of the presence of __________.

    <p>dry; the cold California current off the coast</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of vegetation grows in the Mediterranean climate?

    <p>chaparral</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is not true of the humid continental, hot-summer climate regions in North America?

    <p>It has mild winters.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which climatic region contains and feeds the greatest number of people in the world?

    <p>mesothermal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is not true of the subarctic climate regions of Canada and Asia?

    <p>Broadleaf deciduous trees, such as maple and sweetgum, dominate the area.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The condition of the atmosphere at any given time and place is called climate.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Climates can be stable over several human generations, and also change over longer time periods (thousands to millions of years).

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Climatic regions are characterized by distinctive weather patterns.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The climate of an area can be classified in different ways depending upon the criteria used to define it.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A climograph is a mechanical instrument used for measuring climates.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The soils in tropical environments are nutrient-rich as indicated by the vast amount of vegetation that grows there.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The ITCZ migrates with the high Sun and influences the tropical monsoon climates.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Land in the tropics that is cleared for agricultural crop production is very fertile and will require little, if any, fertilizer to maintain intensive agriculture.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Mediterranean climate requires the use of irrigation for most crops.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Chaparral is a type of vegetation found in subarctic climates.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Tundra can occur on high mountains as well as in the coastal margins of the subarctic realm.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Antarctica is buried under thousands of feet of ice because heavy snowfalls occur there each year.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Climatic Definitions and Concepts

    • A climatic region is defined by long-term weather patterns.
    • Climate refers to long-term atmospheric conditions, encompassing temperature extremes and patterns.
    • As distance from the equator increases, seasonal temperature variation tends to increase.

    Climate Classifications

    • Desert regions in the southwestern U.S. arise from their interior position and nearby mountain ranges.
    • The subarctic climate has the largest monthly temperature fluctuations.

    Precipitation Patterns

    • Coastal areas near cold ocean currents have less precipitation than those near warm currents.
    • The least precipitation occurs on the leeward side of mountains.
    • Areas dominated by maritime air masses tend to be wet, while those influenced by cT air masses are dry.

    Rainfall and Vegetation Types

    • The tropical rain forest climate receives most rainfall through convectional uplift, with nutrient-poor soils and low light penetration at the forest floor.
    • Xerophytic plants are characteristic of desert climates, while chaparral vegetation thrives in Mediterranean climates.
    • Mediterranean climates experience dry summers and wet winters, requiring irrigation for agriculture.

    Characteristics of Specific Climatic Zones

    • The tropical savanna climate has a wet summer and dry winter, influenced by the ITCZ for only part of the year.
    • Marine west-coast climates are characterized by stability provided by mP air masses and experience varied precipitation mechanisms except the ITCZ.
    • The humid continental climate in North America has significant frontal activity and receives most precipitation during summer.

    Geographical Influences on Climate

    • The Pacific Northwest's moist environment results from maritime air masses, mountains, and prevailing winds.
    • Humid subtropical climates typically see dry winters and wet summers influenced by monsoonal conditions.
    • The ITCZ migrates with the sun’s position, impacting tropical monsoon climates.

    Observational Concepts

    • Climatology considers both stable climate over generations and longer-term shifts spanning thousands to millions of years.
    • Climographs are not mechanical instruments but graphical representations showing climate data over time.
    • Anthropogenic changes can affect soil fertility and agricultural viability in tropical regions.

    Misconceptions and Clarifications

    • The atmosphere's condition is not termed climate; it represents current weather.
    • Dry conditions in Mediterranean climates arise from high-pressure systems rather than seasonal influences alone.
    • Tundra exists in both high mountain regions and coastal subarctic margins, highlighting diverse climatic adaptations.

    Notable Climate Characteristics

    • The Mediterranean climate is marked by hot, dry summers, and the bulk of precipitation occurs in winter.
    • Climates can be characterized by distinctive weather patterns with potential variations based on classification criteria.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge on climatic regions and desert development in the southwestern U.S. through this quiz. Questions cover long-term weather patterns and the geographical factors contributing to desert formation.

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