Climatic zones of africa. Climatic zones and regions of Africa Which climatic zone does West Africa belong to?
The climate of Africa can be described as a unique phenomenon due to its location.
Africa is the only continent in the world that stretches on two sides of the equator.
It is interesting that the equator not only divides the globe into two hemispheres, it also divides the African continent almost equally.
The climate has a very large impact on the nature of the area, because it determines the weather regimes, as well as changes in weather conditions.
The soil of the area, flora and fauna, all kinds of sectors of the economy, as well as
.The formation of certain climatic conditions in Africa is influenced by a variety of factors that subsequently determine the life and activities of people who live in a particular type of climate.
Africa is considered the hottest continent due to its location in the hottest climatic zones.
Interestingly, three of the four climatic zones on the continent are repeated twice.
Due to the fact that Africa is crossed by the equator, around which the equatorial climatic zone has formed, the remaining climatic zones mirror each other.
The subequatorial, tropical, subtropical and temperate zones are found twice on the continent.
Equatorial climate zone of Africa
The equatorial belt occupies an area along the Gulf of Guinea and runs up to the depression in the Congo and.
The whole year is dominated by equatorial warm air mass, which determines the weather conditions.
In this part of Africa there are no seasons with temperature changes and changes in weather conditions, it is constantly very hot here and it often rains. Precipitation falls evenly throughout the year.
365 days a year, the temperature is high here - from 24 ° C to 28 ° C.
The equatorial climate is characterized by abundant rainfall. Over the year, in different regions of the equatorial part of the continent, precipitation falls from 1500 to 2500 mm.
Because of this, very high humidity and heat are formed, which is difficult to endure, the coolness of the night brings relief.
In the African equatorial part, constant clouds and frequent fogs can be observed.
Clouds gather almost every day before lunch, which in the afternoon, in the late afternoon, materialize in rain or thunderstorm.
They represent the flora and fauna in a wonderful abundance, which is not fully understood.
On two sides of the equator, as well as from the east of the equatorial belt, subequatorial climatic zones stretch.
This climatic zone is also very hot, with temperatures throughout the year varying from 26 to 30 ° C in summer and 15 to 17 ° C in winter.
Subequatorial climate zone of Africa
In the subequatorial climate zone, rainy and dry seasons are clearly visible.
The duration of the rains, as well as the numerical indicators of precipitation, decrease as the belt moves away from the equator.
This directly affects the flora of the area.
In places where there is not enough rainfall, tree vegetation practically does not grow, lush forests are replaced by light forests, which smoothly turn into shrouds.
It is very interesting to note the alternation in the subequatorial climatic zones of the rainy season and the predominance of the dry season.
While in one of the subequatorial zones of Africa there is the rainy season, which brings the equatorial air mass, in the other subequatorial zone at this time the air mass from the tropics dominates, which entails the onset of the dry season.
Tropical climate zone of Africa
A characteristic feature of this climate is dry, hot weather and minimal rainfall, which decreases with distance from the center of the continent and further into its interior.
Africa for the most part is spread in a tropical climate, so there are a lot of deserts, the formation of which is facilitated by dry air, a remote location from the ocean, as well as increased pressure due to tropical air masses.
These are ideal conditions for the development of numerous deserts and savannas.
The Sahara is the largest desert on the planet and is located in the tropical climate of Africa. Not a single drop of precipitation may fall here for years and it is extremely difficult for a person to be here.
The air is filled with fine dust and very often strong winds blow, creating sand dust storms.
Wind and dust form whimsical sand.
The tropical belt, in addition to aridity, is inherent in a very sharp daily temperature drop.
During the day, the thermometer rises above 40 ° C, heating up the sand and air, and at night the temperature drops sharply by a couple of tens of degrees and can go down to negative values.
The maximum air temperature around the world was recorded in the Libyan desert of the African tropical belt and reached 58 ° C.
The northern coast, as well as the extreme south of the mainland, occupies a subtropical belt, which is characterized by a change in air masses and a division of the year according to seasons.
The average annual temperature is approximately 20 ° C. It varies significantly depending on the summer and winter seasons.
Subtropical climate of Africa
The subtropical zone of Africa in the northern and southwestern parts of the continent is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and precipitation in winter, which brings temperate air.
In the southeast, a subtropical humid climate prevails.
It contributes to the fact that throughout the year, precipitation is distributed quite evenly here.
Individual regions are determined by the amount of precipitation, the duration of the rainy season. Large areas lack moisture. Africa is characterized by the transport of tropical air by trade winds. High banks make it difficult for wet winds to flow. The western shores in tropical latitudes are washed by cold currents. On the territory of Africa, seven are distinguished: equatorial, two subequatorial, two tropical and two subtropical.
Most of the mainland lies in the hot heat zone. Between the two tropics, the midday sun is always high above and is at its zenith twice a year. Even in winter, the average monthly temperatures do not drop below + 18 ... + 20 ° С. The Sahara receives the most light and heat. Summer temperatures are more than +30 ° С here. In the Tripoli region, there was an absolute maximum temperature on Earth + 58 ° C. Africa is the hottest continent.
Equatorial belt covers a significant part of the basin and the coast of the Gulf of Guinea: it extends to 7-8 ° N. NS. and 5 ° S. NS. Due to the intense warming of the earth's surface in Congo, heavy rainfall occurs throughout the year (Figure 50-1). The wettest place in Africa is at the foot of the city - 9655 mm per year. In precipitation mode
there are two maxima associated with the highest position of the Sun.
The amount of atmospheric precipitation exceeds the evaporation rate by 1.5-2 times. Average precipitation is about 2000 mm. High temperatures + 26 ... + 28 ° С and high temperatures ensure continuous growth of plants. For equatorial climate one season is characteristic - summer with daily heavy (zenital) rains in the afternoon.
The east coast is forming tropical humid climate with the maximum amount of precipitation in summer.
Subtropical belt covers the extreme north and south of Africa. On the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and on the southwestern outskirts of the continent, a subtropical with dry hot summers (+ 28 ° C) and warm, humid winters (+ 12 ° C, precipitation up to 1000 mm) is formed (Fig. 50-4). Subtropical humid climate in southeast Africa, it is characterized by an even distribution of precipitation throughout the year. In winter, they are associated with the westerly transfer of air masses, and in summer, winds blow along the entire southeastern coast from. Atmospheric precipitation is 1500 mm. In summer, a significant amount of moisture remains on the slopes of the Drakensberg Mountains, in winter - on the western slopes of the Cape Mountains. The subtropical continental climate is typical for the deserts of the Cape and Karoo Mountains.
The widespread use of heat reserves for agriculture is hampered by the lack of precipitation and frequent. With precipitation of 600-800 mm, yields are unstable, and with a lower value, agriculture is impossible without it. In the deserts, you can only practice in the oases. Huge territories are occupied by unsuitable for human life and impenetrable equatorial forests. Low fertility of many types of soil and dangerous tropical diseases hinder the development of the economy in Africa.
Africa is located in the equatorial, subequatorial, tropical, subtropical climatic zones. The climate of Africa is determined by its geographical position, trade winds, ocean currents, and relief features. Adequate heat allows you to grow tropical and subtropical crops.
Africa
Tectonic structure
Monocentric continent. Its ancient structural core is the Precambrian platform of Gondwana origin. The structure of the African Platform is distinguished by a number of features:
Different elevation of the crystalline base;
Different degrees of overlap of the base by the sedimentary cover (in the northern and southern parts).
The North African part of the platform is called the Mediterranean region, where the crystalline base is less elevated, but over a large area is covered by a sedimentary cover.
South and East Africa (the so-called Gondwana region) tectonically is a shield, where the crystalline base is more elevated and comes to the surface in large areas.
Complex alternation of shields and syneclises.
Large shields within the mainland are Ahaggar (Regibat Shield), Tibesti (Nubian Shield), Central African Shield, Leon-Liberian Shield, Abyssinian Shield, East African Shield, South Guinean Shield.
Among the syneclises stand out: Senegambian, Taudeni, Chad, Kufra, Congo, Okavango, Kalahari, Karoo.
The African platform is supplemented by 2 small folded areas: the northwestern margin of the mainland - the area of the Caledonian-Cenozoic folding - Atlas. In the south of the mainland - the region of the Hercynian folding - the Cape Mountains.
The eastern part of the African Plate was activated by the latest tectonic movements and is essentially an epiplatform mobile belt.
Relief
The relief of the mainland is characterized by a number of features:
Its average height is significant (second place after Antarctica)
By the prevailing heights, the northern part of the continent stands out on the one hand, and the southern and eastern parts on the other. In the northern part of the mainland, the prevailing heights are about 500 m - the so-called. Low Africa. In the southern and eastern parts - dominated by heights of about 1000 m - High Africa. The border between Low and High Africa is drawn along the line Luanda - the port of Massawa.
A significant predominance of plains, which is associated with the platform structure of the main part of the continent
Constant alternation of raised and lowered areas that correspond to the shields and syneclises of the platform. Among the uplifted areas there are plateaus, plateaus, hills, small tracts; among the lowered areas, hollows and depressions are distinguished. From shields to syneclises, there is a natural change in the types of relief. The shields correspond to the basement plateaus, plateaus, massifs, the marginal zones of the shields and the wings of the syneclises are weakly inclined denudation-accumulative plateaus, the axial parts of the syneclises are accumulative plains.
The relief of East Africa is distinguished by a significant originality. Its development is due to complex processes taking place in the largest continental fault zone on the mainland.
The relief in different parts of Africa has its own characteristics.
North Africa includes the Atlas Mountains, Sahara and Sudan.
Atlas mountains- mountains are high, young, folded in the northern part and folded-block in the southern. They have a complex orographic plan. There are 2 main lines of ridges: northern and southern, between which lies a complex inner zone. In the west, this inner zone begins with the Moroccan Meseta plateau, continues with high ridges (Middle Atlas, High Atlas), and then gives way to extended high plateaus.
Sahara... The main part of the territory is occupied by plateaus with heights of about 500-600 m. Plateaus alternate with a number of depressions and hollows. In some places, significant crystalline massifs (Ahaggar, Tibesti) rise above the surface of the plateau. Low-lying plains stretch along the coast.
Sudan... The relief changes significantly when moving from west to east as the syneclises are replaced by anticlips and shields. The marginal position in the west is occupied by the Senegambian lowland. Behind it there are low uplifts that separate it from the Middle Niger Basin. Behind it, a noticeable uplift will be the Air plateau and the Jos massif. Further to the east lies the basin of Lake Chad, behind which the Darfur and Kordofan plateaus are located. The marginal position in the east is occupied by the White Nile depression.
Central and West Africa includes the Congo Basin and the surrounding uplifts, as well as the North Guinea Upland.
Depression of the Congo corresponds to a large syneclise and is surrounded on all sides by raised areas of the crystalline base. These areas correspond to plateaus, plateaus, massifs, hills. To the north of the depression lies a large uplift of sub-latitudinal strike - Azande. To the northwest of the depression lie the Adamawa Mountains. In the west, it is bordered by the South Guinean Upland. To the southwest lies the Biye massif. From the south, the depression is bordered by the Lund-Shaba uplift. In the east, the Mitumba Mountains are a large bordering uplift.
North Guinean Upland. The relief is complex, due to the alternation of small shields and syneclises. The largest uplift is the Leono-Liberian massif located in the west. In the central part, the Togo-Atakora Mountains are a notable uplift. These mountains separate the plains corresponding to the syneclises - the regions of the lower reaches of the Niger and Volta.
East Africa includes the Ethiopian Highlands, the Somali Plateau, and the East African Plateau.
The Ethiopian Highlands is a highly elevated massif. Significant areas on it are occupied by lava plateaus, in places they are interrupted by mountain ranges, in some cases they bear young high volcanic cones, in places they are heavily destroyed - Amba.
East African plateau. In terms of relief, 2 marginal zones and one inner zone are distinguished. In the western zone is the Central African Rift Zone. The relief is characterized by the alternation of depressions - grabens, often occupied by lakes, and the uplifts surrounding these basins (mainly block mountains - Mitumba, Rwenzori, Blue Mountains). The main part of the inner zone is occupied by high plateaus (Ozernoye, Unyamvezi, Serengeti). In the Eastern zone, there is a second fault line - the East African Rift. A chain of high volcanoes is strung on this graben - Kilimanjaro, Kenya, Maveru.
South Africa includes the Cape Mountains, Madagascar, and the South African Plateau.
South African plateau. Its structure resembles the structure of the Congo Basin and the uplifts that border it. The internal position is occupied by 2 depressions - Kalahari and Okavango. They are surrounded on all sides by uplifts: in the north - Lunda-Katanga, in the northwest - Biya, in the west - Damaraland, in the south - the Cape Mountains, in the southeast - the Drakensberg Mountains, in the northeast - the Matabele plateau. The marginal uplifts abruptly drop off to the coastal lowlands. This cliff is called the Great Ledge (Roger's Ledge). Its height is most significant in the Drakensberg Mountains.
Climate
The climatic conditions of the mainland are distinguished by a number of features:
1. Constantly high temperatures practically throughout the continent.
2. Large territorial differences in moisture, and the main part of the continent is occupied by constantly arid or seasonally arid areas.
3. Zonal distribution of precipitation.
4. Relatively small number of presented types of climate
5. Recurrence of the main types of climate in the northern and southern parts of the continent.
Climate factors
1. Features of latitudinal position. The main part of the continent is located within the hot heat zone and lies in the equatorial, subequatorial and tropical latitudes.
2. Symmetrical position relative to the equator - hence the recurrence of climate types.
3. Baric situation and circulation of air masses. Three stable baric regions are formed over the mainland: an equatorial low pressure trough and two tropical-subtropical highs. Seasonally, the position of these baric systems changes - they move either to the north (in the summer of the northern hemisphere), then to the south (in the summer of the southern hemisphere). Therefore, at subequatorial latitudes, a change in the baric situation occurs. Several baric systems are formed over the oceans, which affect the climatic conditions of the continent. Among them is the Indian High. Its interaction with the equatorial trough forms a southeast trade wind, the influence of which is great on the eastern outskirts of South Africa. The South Atlantic maximum interacts with a low pressure area on the northern edge of the Gulf of Guinea and causes the appearance of southwestern winds prevailing on the north Guinean coast. The same area gives a spur of high pressure on the Atlantic coast of southern Africa - the Namib Desert. Azores maximum - its influence is great in summer. It provides a high pressure spur covering almost the entire Mediterranean. When this spur interacts with the low-pressure equatorial trough, north-east trade winds arise.
Major wind systems over Africa: with-in trade winds- in the tropics of the northern hemisphere dominate the whole year, and seasonally in the winter of the northern hemisphere they descend into the subequatorial belt; y-in trade winds dominate on the eastern edge of the mainland only in the winter season, south-west winds on the North Guinean coast; equatorial monsoons in the summer in the subequatorial latitudes of North Africa (Sudan).
4. Types of dominant air masses: tropical continental VMs seasonally descend to subequatorial latitudes. Equatorial VMs are the Congo Basin; in summer they rise to subequatorial latitudes. Marine tropical VMs dominate the eastern edge of the continent. Moderate marine VMs dominate the northern and southern margins of the continent in winter.
5. Relief. The flatness of the relief is one of the prerequisites for the zonal distribution of precipitation. In a number of areas, the relief is an important factor that increases the amount of precipitation (Debunja - the southern slopes of the Cameroon Highlands - up to 10,000 mm). The relief can be the reason for the aridity of some territories (the Somali plateau - the southwestern equatorial monsoons are delayed by the Ethiopian Highlands).
6. Configuration of the mainland. The presence of two massifs of different sizes: the northern very large and the southern - a much smaller area (the degree of continentality of the climate)
7. Currents. The Mozambican Current saturates the southeast trade wind with moisture, the Benguela Current is one of the reasons for the existence of the Namib coastal desert. The Somali cold current contributes little to the dryness of the peninsula.
Climatic zones and regions of Africa
The mainland is located in 7 climatic zones, 6 of which are paired (present in both the northern and southern hemispheres).
Equatorial belt
Occupies about 8% of the mainland. Includes 2 territories: the Congo Basin and the northern coast of the Gulf of Guinea. Temperatures are constantly high. A significant amount of convective precipitation falls in the Congo Basin (2000-2500 mm), on the northern coast of the Gulf of Guinea there is a significant amount of circulation-orographic precipitation. The pressure is constantly lowered, the air humidity is very high.
Subequatorial belts
The northern subequatorial belt covers Sudan, the southern one - the watershed of the Congo and Zambezi. Almost all of East Africa is also located in this belt. The climate is characterized by seasonal changes in atmospheric pressure, such as prevailing air masses, wind direction. In summer, the pressure is low, equatorial air masses dominate, in winter the pressure increases, tropical continental air dominates. Temperatures are constantly high, seasonal differences are subtle. The highest temperatures are reached before the onset of the rainy season.
In terms of moisture content, the climate can be defined as seasonally dry (variably humid). There is a significant amount of summer precipitation, winter is practically absent. With distance from the equator, the duration of the wet period decreases and the total amount of precipitation decreases.
Tropical belts
In North Africa it captures the Sahara, in South Africa - the Mozambique coast, Kalahari, Namib.
There are 3 types of climate: tropical dry desert climate
humid tropical climate
climate of tropical coastal deserts.
The main territories are occupied by areas of tropical continental climate (Sahara, Kalahari). Constantly high temperatures with a slight decrease in the winter season (+ 30º and + 20º, respectively), extremely low amount of precipitation, significant dryness of the air, and frequent strong winds are characteristic.
An area of tropical humid climate is represented on the eastern outskirts of South Africa, where the southeastern trade winds from the Indian Ocean bring a significant amount of moisture (1000-1500 mm).
An area of tropical climate of coastal deserts overtakes the Namib Desert. Characterized by a slight decrease in summer temperatures, a leveled annual course of temperatures (the influence of a cold current), an extremely small amount of precipitation (50-80 mm). Rather high air humidity, fog and dew are frequent in winter.
Subtropical belts
Includes the northern and southern outskirts of the mainland. There are 2 climatic regions: the region of the Mediterranean climate and the region of the humid subtropical climate.
The Mediterranean climate is typical for the entire northern outskirts and a very small area in the extreme southwest of the mainland. The climate is characterized by noticeable seasonal temperature fluctuations (hot and moderately hot summers + 22… 25º, warm winters + 8… 10º). In terms of moisture, the climate is seasonally arid: cyclonic precipitation falls in winter, and in summer, when the weather is anticyclonic, it is rather dry.
The region of subtropical humid climate covers a small area in the extreme south of the mainland. There is a significant amount of precipitation. Moreover, in summer and winter, they have different origins. In summer, eastern winds from the Indian Ocean bring moisture, and cyclonic precipitation falls in winter.
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 is no cold weather characteristic of temperate latitudes. 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 continent is such that in two hemispheres one and the same zone has its own characteristics. And in order to learn the local weather and its characteristics, the article presents the belts 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 the Indian, a few seas and straits. The geological structure of these lands is such that their width is greater in and less in the south. This partly affects what climatic zones in Africa are formed in certain regions of it. 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 tropical rainforests or even savannahs are located, the animal and plant world is richer, it appears before us in all its African originality and uniqueness.
Short description, table
Climatic zones of Africa begin from the equatorial.
- At zero latitude, the wettest continent is located, where the maximum amount of precipitation falls - more than 2000 mm per year.
- It is followed by the subequatorial strip, where the amount of precipitation and natural resources is decreasing. 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, the amount of precipitation here can range from 300 to as little as 50 mm per year.
- 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 to summer rates. The amount of precipitation is estimated at 500 mm per year.
Equatorial latitudes
Listing all the climatic zones of Africa, special attention should be paid to the equatorial zone, since on this continent it is considered the most unique, wettest and most 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. A feature of the equatorial climate is that closer to the east it becomes drier, but the maximum amount of precipitation falls on the western parts of the land.
Subequatorial zone
Africa is located in climatic zones characterized by hot temperatures, and a huge part of its territory is occupied by subtropics. It is a little drier here than at the equator, jungle and evergreen forests turn into savannahs. A feature of this belt is that in summer equatorial winds blow here, which bring rains and often fogs 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 the north of Africa, the subequatorial belt covers countries such as Mali, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, etc. In the southern part of the continent it is Tanzania, Kenya, Angola, Zambia, Mozambique.
Tropics. Dry and windy
As the table above has shown us, the climatic zones of Africa are hard to imagine without the tropics, which occupy most of the continent. Their widest strip stretches in the northern part of the mainland, covering the Sahara Desert and all neighboring countries. These are Egypt, the northern territories of Chad, Sudan, and Mali, as well as Mauritania, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, and many others. The amount of precipitation here is minimal - about 50 mm per year. The whole area is covered with sand, blown by dry trade winds. Sandstorms are not uncommon. 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 are also found in the Kalahari Desert region. The climate here is very similar to the northern one, but it is characterized by a large amount of precipitation and less abrupt daily temperature changes.
Subtropical regions
In conclusion, we will 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 in a thin strip along the Mediterranean coast. Only the highest points of Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco fall into it, which are washed by the waves of this sea. The peculiarity of the local climate is that in winter winds blow here from the west, bringing moisture. Due to this, it is in the cold season that the maximum amount of precipitation falls here - about 500 mm. In summer, the winds change to tropical trade winds that bring heat, drought and even sand from the Sahara. It does not rain at all, the temperature rises to the maximum. In the Southern Hemisphere, weather conditions are similar. The only feature is that it is a narrow promontory, 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 - continental and volcanic. To the east, beyond the waters of the Mozabique Strait, is Madagascar. It falls into two climatic zones at once - subequatorial and tropical. True, both are not as dry here as in Africa itself. It rains frequently, and the whole island is literally buried in evergreens and palms. lie in the Atlantic, west of the Gulf of Guinea. The climate here 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 the 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 ones are to the south, and which ones, on the contrary, go to the north. This will broaden his horizons and allow him to better navigate in geography.
We all know from childhood such a large and beautiful continent as Africa. We also know that the first life originated there. I have always been interested in the question, why did Africa become the center of the emergence of civilization? Studying geography at school, we learn that this continent is the second in area after Eurasia and lies in several climatic zones. The African continent stretches from the northern subtropical belt to the southern subtropical.
Climatic zones of Africa
I'll start with the equator. He practically divides Africa in half, because of this, the belts of the southern and northern parts are duplicated. There are such climatic zones:
- 2 Subtropical zones.
- 2 Tropical zones.
- 2 Subequatorial belts.
- 1 Equatorial belt.
Equatorial belt
Equatorial belt- runs along central part mainland. Mainly humid and warm air currents prevail here, so there is only one type of climate - equatorial.
Subequatorial belt
Subequatorial belts- are located on one and the other side of the equator... The temperature in these zones is the same as in the equatorial zone - rather high (+ 25 ... 28 ° С). However, the change between the wet and dry cycle is clearly visible here. A feature of the subequatorial belts is Availabilitytwo rainy periods. They are popularly called "long rains" and "short rains". Periods of rains alternate with dry winter periods.
Tropical belt
Tropical belts- occupy huge area of the continent. Continental tropical air currents form in the Sahara and South Africa "Desert" climate. In the Sahara, for several years, absent any precipitation, and the smallest dust hangs in the sky, making it almost impossible to see it blue. Suffocating heat in the afternoon and bitter cold at night, severe aridity and incessant winds kill all life in the area.
So why exactly did life begin in Africa? I think the whole point is in its natural conditions of the equatorial zone. According to one of the hypotheses, active volcanism existed in the region of the East African rift belt. He gave birth to many hot springs that warmed primitive people and their offspring on cold nights.
