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Questions and Answers
What is the purpose of climate classification or why the classification is important?
What is the purpose of climate classification or why the classification is important?
To know the climate condition a region usually experiences throughout the year.
How do climate scientists classify world climates into different types?
How do climate scientists classify world climates into different types?
Climatologists or climate scientists classify the climate of the world into different climate regions based on certain criteria, including temperature, precipitation, latitude, vegetation, and more.
What are the major climate classification schemes of the world?
What are the major climate classification schemes of the world?
The main climate classification schemes are the Ancient Greek climate classification and the Koppen Climate classification scheme.
What are the main climate types according to the ancient Greeks?
What are the main climate types according to the ancient Greeks?
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What criteria were used in climate classification by the Ancient Greeks?
What criteria were used in climate classification by the Ancient Greeks?
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What are the main climate types according to Koppen?
What are the main climate types according to Koppen?
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What criteria were used in climate classification by Koppen?
What criteria were used in climate classification by Koppen?
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Which of the following climate groups are defined by precipitation?
Which of the following climate groups are defined by precipitation?
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Which of the following Koppen climate groups uses temperature as its primary criterion?
Which of the following Koppen climate groups uses temperature as its primary criterion?
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What are the four major climate zones of the world?
What are the four major climate zones of the world?
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What latitude range encompasses the Tropical Zone?
What latitude range encompasses the Tropical Zone?
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What latitude range encompasses the Temperate Zone?
What latitude range encompasses the Temperate Zone?
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What latitude range encompasses the Cold Zone?
What latitude range encompasses the Cold Zone?
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What is the dominant feature of the Tropical Wet-and-Dry Region?
What is the dominant feature of the Tropical Wet-and-Dry Region?
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What are the characteristics of the Equatorial Climate Region of Africa?
What are the characteristics of the Equatorial Climate Region of Africa?
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Where is the Equatorial Climate Region of Africa dominant?
Where is the Equatorial Climate Region of Africa dominant?
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What are the characteristics of the Tropical Wet-and-Dry Region of Africa, also known as the savanna climate zone?
What are the characteristics of the Tropical Wet-and-Dry Region of Africa, also known as the savanna climate zone?
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What are the characteristics of the Semi-Arid Climatic Region?
What are the characteristics of the Semi-Arid Climatic Region?
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What are the characteristics of the Hot Desert Climatic Region of Africa?
What are the characteristics of the Hot Desert Climatic Region of Africa?
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What are the two types of hot deserts in Africa?
What are the two types of hot deserts in Africa?
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What are the main features of the Hot Desert Climatic Region?
What are the main features of the Hot Desert Climatic Region?
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What causes the cool and dry conditions in the coastal deserts of North and South Western Africa?
What causes the cool and dry conditions in the coastal deserts of North and South Western Africa?
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What are the main characteristics of the Tropical Maritime Climate Region?
What are the main characteristics of the Tropical Maritime Climate Region?
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What are the main characteristics of the Warm Temperate Continental Climate Region?
What are the main characteristics of the Warm Temperate Continental Climate Region?
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What is a prominent geographical feature present in the Warm Temperate Continental Climate Region?
What is a prominent geographical feature present in the Warm Temperate Continental Climate Region?
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What are the main characteristics of the Mediterranean Climate Region?
What are the main characteristics of the Mediterranean Climate Region?
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What are the main factors influencing the climate of Africa?
What are the main factors influencing the climate of Africa?
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Explain the impact of latitude on the climate of Africa.
Explain the impact of latitude on the climate of Africa.
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What are the main pressure belts that affect the climate of Africa?
What are the main pressure belts that affect the climate of Africa?
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What are the main winds that affect the climate of Africa?
What are the main winds that affect the climate of Africa?
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Why is the ITCZ significant for the climate of Africa?
Why is the ITCZ significant for the climate of Africa?
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What is the impact of ocean currents on the climate of Africa?
What is the impact of ocean currents on the climate of Africa?
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How does altitude affect the climate of Africa?
How does altitude affect the climate of Africa?
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What are the main ways climate change impacts human health in Africa?
What are the main ways climate change impacts human health in Africa?
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What are some of the major challenges of climate change on African development vision?
What are some of the major challenges of climate change on African development vision?
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Explain the difference between climate variability and climate change.
Explain the difference between climate variability and climate change.
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Which of the following is NOT a recognized indicator of climate change?
Which of the following is NOT a recognized indicator of climate change?
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What are some of the major causes of climate change in Africa?
What are some of the major causes of climate change in Africa?
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What are some of the key indicators of climate change?
What are some of the key indicators of climate change?
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What is the role of climate in determining our basic needs?
What is the role of climate in determining our basic needs?
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How does climate influence the living style of people?
How does climate influence the living style of people?
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Study Notes
Unit Two: Climate of Africa
- Unit Two covers nine periods.
- The unit focuses on the climate of Africa.
- The unit is divided into four main sections:
- Overview of World Climatic Regions and climatic zones
- Features of the climate of Africa
- Benefits of Climate for the Life of People in Africa
- Climate Change and the challenges posed by climate change on the development vision of Africa.
Introduction
- Climate is the average weather conditions in a place over a long period (30 years or more).
- It represents the sum of all interacting atmospheric processes over a given period.
- Weather, on the other hand, is the short-term state of atmospheric conditions at a particular time and place.
- Climatic zones are large areas with similar or distinct climate types, such as tropical, subtropical, temperate, and polar zones.
- Climate zones are generally belt-shaped, spreading in an east-west direction around Earth and circular around the poles. They may be interrupted by mountains or oceans.
- Climatic region refers to a continuous geographic area with a similar climatic zone.
- Average temperature is the primary factor in determining climate regions, though precipitation and other weather factors also play a role.
- Global climate is a description of the Earth's overall climate, averaging out regional differences.
Evaluation
- After completing Unit Two, students will be able to assess climate types and climatic regions worldwide, compare climatic regions within Africa, examine how climate benefits the lives of Africans, and analyze challenges posed by climate change to Africa's development.
2.1 Overview of World Climatic Regions & Types
- This section examines climate classifications and zones globally, including different classification schemes.
- Students will learn to distinguish classification schemes and major climate types.
2.1.1 Climate Classifications
- Students will identify climate types and regions of the world.
Start-up Questions
- What is the purpose of climate classification and its importance?
- How do climate scientists classify world climates into different types?
- What are the major climate classification schemes of the world?
- What are the main climate types (according to ancient Greeks and Koppen)?
- What criteria were used in climate classification (ancient Greeks, Koppen)?
The Function or Purpose of Climate Classifications
- To understand climate conditions in a region throughout the year.
- To choose houses that are suitable and durable in a particular region
- To select suitable crops according to the climate of that particular region
- To select and pack appropriate clothing according to the climate
2.1.2 World Climate Zones
- Earth's climate is driven by solar radiation, varying with angles of the sun.
- The equator receives solar radiation nearly perpendicularly, making it the warmest region.
- The poles receive less direct solar radiation, leading to cooler temperatures.
Major Climate Zones of the World
- There are four major climate zones: Tropical, Subtropical, Temperate, and Polar/cold climate zone.
1. Tropical Zone
- Located between the tropics (0° – 23 ½ N/S).
- Receives solar radiation almost vertically throughout the year, resulting in high temperatures.
- Has high amounts of water vapor, frequent and dense cloud cover, and high humidity.
2. Subtropics Zone
- Located between 23.5° – 40° N/S
- Receives the highest radiation in summer due to a nearly vertical angle of the sun.
- Receives the lowest radiation in winter.
- Has relatively thin cloud cover during the summer season.
- Has more deserts than other zones.
3. Temperate Zone
- Located between 40° - 60° N/S.
- Experiences significant seasonal differences in temperature and day length.
- Precipitation is more regular throughout the year, supporting longer vegetation periods.
4. Cold Zone
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Located between 60° - 90° N/S
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Receives less heat throughout the year due to a low angle and the changes of Earth's axis angle to the sun.
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Varying day length and sparse vegetation.
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Figure 2.1: World climate zones according to ancient Greek.
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Figure 2.3: World climate zones.
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The figure 2.2 to 2.3: Shows map of Köppen's five principal climate groups and World Climate Zones.
2.2 Climate of Africa
2.2.1 Major Climatic regions of Africa
- The climate of Africa is divided into eight climatic regions:
- Equatorial
- Tropical wet and dry (Savanna)
- Semiarid
- Arid
- Warm temperate (western margin - Mediterranean)
- Warm temperate (eastern coast - tropical Maritime climate - Mozambique)
- Warm temperate continental climate - Highveld
- Mountain/highland climate
Equatorial Region
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Lowlands area between 5° N/S of the equator
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Dominates Western and Central Africa.
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Often experienced in Congo basin and Eastern African Highlands
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High average temperatures and annual rainfall (heavy cloud cover and high humidity)
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Little to no variation in temperature.
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Typically warm, humid climate.
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Figure 2.3: World Climate Zones in Africa
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Figure 2.2: A map of Köppen's five principal climate groups in Africa.
The Tropical Wet-and-Dry Region
- Also called tropical savanna
- Located between 5° and 15° N/S of the equator.
- Covers much of Sub-Saharan Africa western and southern Africa and parts of Madagascar.
- A little less than half of the total surface area of the continent
- Distinct wet and dry seasons (six months of rain and six months without rain).
- High daily temperatures,
- Mean monthly temperatures show less variation
- Slightly higher annual temperature ranges compared to Equatorial climate
Semi-arid Climatic Region
- Found at the fringe of tropical deserts
- Similar temperatures to deserts but receives more rainfall
- Total annual rainfall is usually between 250-500 mm/year.
- Example: The Sahel region.
The Hot Desert Climatic Region
- Sunniest and driest parts of the continent.
- Low rainfall (less than 250 mm annually).
- High temperatures (extreme).
- Two types: coastal and continental.
- Coastal deserts: Located along the north and south western coasts (e.g. the Sahara desert, Namib desert). Caused by cold ocean currents that bring no moisture.
- Continental deserts: Found in the central interior of Africa (e.g. Sahara, Kalahari deserts). Due to dry continental tropical air masses and lack of wind currents bringing moisture.
- High diurnal (day-to-day) temperature ranges.
Tropical Maritime Climate
- Found along the southeast coast of South Africa, dominating Natal and Cape provinces, and extending roughly to Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania
- Strongly influenced by the warm Mozambique Current and southeast trade winds.
- High rainfall throughout the year, averaging 1000-1500 mm per year with significant decrease moving westward towards the interior.
- High temperatures throughout the year, with summers as the warmest season (average around 26 °C), and winters as the warmest one (average around 10 °C).
- Low annual temperature range
Warm Temperate Continental Climate
- Found in the interior of South Africa, specifically the Highveld grasslands.
- Has similar rainfall patterns to the tropical wet and dry climate, however, the elevation modifies temperatures significantly.
- Lower rainfall amount compared to the coastal region.
- Rainfall generally occurs in the winter, with about 700 mm per year.
- Annual average temperatures range from 26° C in summer to about 10° C in winter.
2.3 The Role of Climate on Lives of People in Africa
- Climate plays a crucial role in determining food, shelter, clothing, recreation, and daily activities.
- Climate affects livelihoods, health, and future prospects for people in Africa.
- Climate determines vegetation, animals, birds, insects. for example there are polar bears which are found in the polar region and camels found in desert areas.
- Climate strongly influences the living style of people including settlement patterns - especially regarding temperature and rainfall amount.
- Climate is crucial in determining the type of agriculture, the materials available for homes, hunting etc.
2.4 Climate Change and Its Challenges to Africa's Development Vision
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Climate change presents great challenges to Africa's development, both practically.
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The impacts:
- higher temperatures
- rising sea-levels
- changing rainfall patterns
- increased climate variability affecting agricultural production, water supplies and health.
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Climate Variability vs Climate change: Climate variability is short-term, while climate change is long-term. Climate change is long term changes in average climatic conditions.
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Factors that cause climate change • El Niño and La Niña - large and warmer tropical areas. • Increased GHG (greenhouse gases) in the atmosphere from human activities. • Increased population leading to more human activities.
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Indicators of climate change:
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Higher temperatures
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Drying up of soils
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Increased pest and disease
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Shifts in suitable areas for growing crops
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Desertification
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Floods
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Deforestation
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Soil erosion
Evaluation
- Students will answer questions regarding climate controls in Africa, the impact of latitude, altitude, ocean currents, and the ITCZ on the climate.
Assignment:
- Prepare a sketch of the climatic regions and types of climates of the continents on a flip chart.
- Group 1: Questions 1 and 2
- Group 2: Questions 3 and 4
- Group 3: Questions 6 and 7
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