Humid equatorial belt of Africa. Climate zones of Africa

The African continent crosses the equator, that is, most of it is located between the tropics. Naturally, this situation greatly influenced the climate of Africa. It is also influenced by climatic factors such as trade winds, patterns of air mass circulation, ocean currents and features of the continent’s topography and its latitude.

General climate characteristics, briefly

When describing the general characteristics of the African climate, first of all, we must not forget that winter and summer in different hemispheres occur in different months:

• North hemisphere : winter in December, January, February;
• Southern Hemisphere : winter in June, July, August.

Summers throughout Africa are very hot. The thermometer does not fall below +20 degrees. Winter also does not pretend to be particularly “cold”.

Even in the coolest regions of South Africa, the thermometer does not drop below +8 degrees. Thus, it is not surprising that the lowest position of the sun in this region is similar to the position of the sun in central Russia on the day of the summer solstice.

Rice. 1 Climate of Africa. Climate map

In general, according to its climatic conditions, Africa is very clearly divided into 4 regions:

• North Africa(dry and hot; tropical deserts and dry Mediterranean forests);
• South Africa(dry and hot; tropical deserts);
• Central Africa(humid; equatorial and subequatorial moisture-loving forests);
• East Africa(moderately humid; savannas and woodlands predominate).

Rice. 2 East Africa in summer (savannas and woodlands)

African climate types

There are several climate zones in Africa. Since the equator cuts the continent in half, they are repeated to the north and south of it. So in Africa (judging by the climate map) there are 7 climate zones (on both sides of the equator):

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• equatorial climate zone;
• two subequatorial belts;
• two tropical zones;
• two subtropical zones.

All climatic zones differ from each other primarily in the amount and regime of precipitation. Thus, in the equatorial and subequatorial zones, 2000-3000 mm of precipitation per year is considered the norm (the wettest place in Africa is at the foot of Mount Cameroon, where up to 9500 mm of precipitation per year can fall). But in some subtropical regions the norm is 300 mm per year.

Equatorial climate zone

Humid and hot climate. The average temperature fluctuates around +23-+28, and the daily temperature amplitudes are much greater than the annual fluctuations. There is quite a lot of precipitation (up to 2000 mm), it falls evenly throughout the month. You can say. That in this zone there is always one season.

Subequatorial climate zone

In the south and north of the continent the situation is almost the same. The average temperature is around +23-+25. In summer there is a large amount of precipitation, in winter less. There is a seasonal change in the movement of air masses, and monsoons are frequent. It is in this belt of the African continent that the deepest and longest rivers flow.

Tropical climate zone

In the tropical part of the continent, in the north and south, the situation is somewhat different from each other. Although in both parts of the tropical zone the weather is dry and hot.

There is virtually no precipitation in the northern part of the continent. In summer, the temperature can stay at around +40 degrees (the absolute maximum was recorded in the Libyan Desert - +58 degrees), in winter - +18 degrees.

Rice. 3 Libyan Desert

In the southern parts it is colder and there is more precipitation. In the west (Namib Desert) there is virtually no precipitation. In summer and winter the temperature is almost the same (the annual average is from +20 to +15 degrees). In the east (Dragon Mountains) the humidity is highest. This is facilitated by the movement of air masses from the equator and their collisions with warm air coming from the ocean.

It was in the tropical zone of both hemispheres that desert spaces were concentrated. Due to the lack of clouds, the daily temperature fluctuation in the desert is very high. During the day, the sun can heat sand and stones to a temperature of +70, and at night the entire space cools down and, in some cases, the thermometer can drop below zero. African samum winds often blow in deserts, and at night you can hear the crackling of stones.

Subtropical climate zone

If we compare the southeastern and southwestern coasts of Africa, then in the same season, with the same climatic zone, a sharp change in climate is observed. The southwest (subtropical Mediterranean climate) has dry and hot summers and warm but wet winters. On the southeast coast, summers are hot and humid (due to warm air masses from the Indian Ocean). And winter is cold and dry (the penetration of precipitation is prevented by the Cape Mountains).

Table“Characteristics of African climate zones”(data from this table can be used in 7th grade geography lessons).

The influence of climate on the diversity of the natural and plant world of Africa is obvious. Climate also influenced the pattern of the river network and river regime. So, where the humidity is higher, the rivers are longer and deeper. They feed mainly on precipitation that falls in the form of rain. Africa's inland waters also have a certain influence on the formation of Africa's climate.

Despite the fact that the African continent has the largest arid desert in the world by area, it is also home to the second deepest river in the world - the Congo and the second longest river in the world - the Nile (in terms of deepness and length, the Nile and the Congo are “outstripped” only by South American Amazon).

Rice. 4 River Nile, Africa

What have we learned?

The climate in Africa is generally hot, but humidity, like pressure, also varies in different climate zones. The continent's climate is influenced by various climatic factors. Oceans, topography and inland waters play an important role.

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What climate zones is Africa located in and received the best answer

Answer from Elizabet[guru]
Climate zones of Africa

The equatorial climate belt is almost entirely surrounded by a subequatorial climate belt (equatorial monsoon climate), covering Sudan, East Africa and the northern part of South Africa to the Zambezi River. The Abyssinian Highland and the high peaks of East Africa, located in the zone of this climate, are characterized by a clearly defined vertical climatic zone (up to winter-nival on the Abyssinian Highlands and constantly nival on Kilimanjaro, Kenya, Rwenzori, etc.). The Abyssinian Highlands is also distinguished by a sharp exposure difference in the climate of the western and eastern slopes.

The northern and southern boundaries of the subequatorial climate are determined by the summer (for each subcontinent) position of the tropical front. Throughout the year, there are alternating summer wet and winter dry seasons, and temperatures fluctuate noticeably due to the change of humid and hot equatorial air (summer) and dry and very hot continental tropical air (winter). This type of climate covers about 1/3 (almost 10 million km2) of the area of ​​Africa. The alternation of summer rains and winter drought is expressed even more clearly on the African continent than in India, so Africa can be called the country of classic equatorial monsoons with more justification than India.

Tropical (trade wind) climate zones are located in both parts of the continent south and north of the equator, between the winter position of the polar front and the summer position of the tropical front. Deserts occupy a total of almost half the area of ​​the continent, and on this basis Africa is rightly called the classic area for desert development. This climate is characterized by the constant dominance of continental tropical air, very dry air and high, especially summer, temperatures.

The largest desert area is occupied in the northern part of the continent, where the world's largest desert, the Sahara, lies.

In the southern part of Africa, desert landscapes are limited to the southwestern region of the Kalahari and a narrow strip of the coast, where, by analogy with the Atlantic region of the Sahara, the climate of the trade wind oceanic desert with a predominance of marine tropical air (in the descending currents of the eastern periphery of the oceanic maximum pressure) is distinguished.

The rest of tropical South Africa, in the continental sector (between the Zambezi and Orange), has an arid to semi-desert climate, with summer precipitation due to thermal convection. Along the eastern coast in the tropical zone, the climate is maritime, trade wind, with a summer maximum precipitation.

The extreme north and south of the continent lie in belts of subtropical climate with seasonal changes in air masses (in summer there is tropical sea air, in winter - sea air of temperate latitudes). The Atlas Mountains, the coast of Libya and the United Arab Republic and the southwestern edge of South Africa have a Mediterranean variety of this climate with winter cyclonic precipitation, on the southeastern edge of South Africa - monsoon subtropics with a summer maximum precipitation.

Answer from Luda[active]
equatorial, subequatorial, tropical and subtropical

Answer from Human[newbie]
(equatorial, subequatorial, tropical, subtropical)

Answer from Yanya[active]
the robe has a belt!

Education

Each continent is characterized by its own temperature, change of seasons, abundance or lack of moisture, diversity of vegetation, or vice versa - its complete absence. All this is formed under the influence of climatic zones, which create this or that climate.

In what climatic zones is Africa located, its climate, precipitation

The African continent is the only continent in the world that lies on either side of the equator. By the way, it has seven climatic zones, since the same zone, depending on which hemisphere it is located in, has its own climatic characteristics.

Thus, the equatorial climate zone forms winds that carry heat and moisture all year round. The temperature here is +25°-28°C, rain falls evenly all year round and there is no division into seasons.

The subequatorial belt occupies the north and south of the land. Depending on the dry or rainy season of the year, clearly formed types of air masses change. In the summer season, equatorial winds carry heat and moisture, and in winter - tropical winds - drier and hotter.

The temperature stays within +24-28°C all year round, there is little rainfall, and it falls during the summer season. By the way, regardless of what climatic zones Africa is located in, everywhere on this continent there is a lack of moisture.

African tropics

The tropics cover the largest part of the country. Tropical winds dominate throughout the year and shape the climate with deserts and savannas. The temperature in July is 32°C, in January +18°C. Precipitation is rare, no more than 100 mm per year. It is precisely the climate zones in which Africa is located that has led to the absence of severe cold, and especially frost, on the continent.

The subtropical zone consists of two regions: the extreme northern and southern territories of the African continent. The temperature here is +24°C in summer, +10°C in winter. The northern and southwestern regions of Africa have a subtropical-Mediterranean climate.

From the above we can conclude in which climate zones Africa is located. The map also demonstrates that it can safely be considered the hottest continent on our planet.

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Distant Australia

Australia is the smallest and driest continent on Earth. It has three climatic zones: subequatorial, tropical and subtropical.

Subequatorial occupies the northern part of the continent. In summer, the equatorial wind blows here, in winter - tropical. Air temperature +25°C all year round.

Uneven precipitation affects the clear division of seasons. Summers are warm, with frequent thunderstorms and downpours of up to 2000 mm per year, and winters are hot and dry.

The tropical zone has two types of climate. Depending on the location of the territory and the amount of precipitation that falls on it, continental (desert) and tropical climates are distinguished.

An area with a particularly dry climate is far from the ocean. There are desert areas here. The air temperature here in the summer season is +30 °C, in winter +16 °C. The west of the tropical zone is formed under the influence of the West Australian Current. Deserts stretch to the shores of the Indian Ocean.

The eastern part receives sufficient moisture in the form of rain. Warm air coming from the Pacific Ocean has created a favorable climate here in which tropical forest grows.

The subtropical zone covers southern Australia and is divided into three zones. The southwest is characterized by dry and hot summers and warm and rainy winters. The air temperature in January rises to +23°C, in June - to +12°C.

The central part is completely desert. It has a continental climate with characteristic strong temperature changes throughout the year - hot summers and not very warm winters, with little rain.

The southeast has a humid climate, rain falls equally throughout the year, in summer the air warms up to +24°C, in winter - up to +9°C.

If you compare the climate zones in which Africa and Australia are located, you can see great similarities in the weather conditions of both continents.

Land of ice and snow

Antarctica is a continent of cold and ice. It is located in two climatic zones: Antarctic and subantarctic.

The Antarctic belt makes up almost the entire territory of the continent, which covers a layer of ice up to 4.5 km thick. And this is of great importance in shaping the climate of Antarctica, since ice reflects up to 90% of sunlight, which makes it difficult to warm up the surface of the continent.

Arctic winter and summer

In summer, on a polar day, the temperature in the Arctic is -32°C. In winter, during the polar night, it drops below -64 °C. The lowest temperature was -89°C, recorded at Vostok station. Strong winds reach 80-90 m/s.

The subantarctic belt is located in the northern part of Antarctica. Here the climate is milder, and the layer of ice is not so thick and in some places exposes the rocks with mosses and lichens growing on them. Precipitation in the form of snow falls in small quantities. Temperatures in summer are slightly above 0°C.

If you compare the climate zones in which Africa and Antarctica are located, you can once again see how radically the weather conditions on our planet can differ.

Source: fb.ru

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Equatorial belt covers the coast of the Gulf of Guinea (up to 7-8° N latitude) and a significant part of the Congo Basin (between 5° N.

w. and 5° S. sh.), not reaching the Indian Ocean due to the significant height of East Africa. The boundaries of the belt are determined by the winter position of the tropical front of each hemisphere. Equatorial air dominates here all year round. Average monthly temperatures are high (25-28° C), and their course is uniform. Annual amplitudes are less than daily ones. Rising air currents, calms and weak winds predominate. Humidity is high and cloudiness is significant. There is a lot of precipitation (up to 2000 mm per year or more), and it is distributed evenly over the months. However, there are two particularly rainy periods, spring and autumn, separated by less rainy ones. Precipitation maxima are associated with strong evaporation at the zenithal position of the Sun. Precipitation is mainly convective, in mountainous areas and orographic.

Subequatorial belts(northern and southern) encircle the equatorial climate zone, converging in the east of the continent, and extend from 17° N. w. up to 20° south w. They cover Sudan, East Africa and part of South Africa to the Zambezi, occupying about 1/3 of the continent. The southern subequatorial belt does not reach the Atlantic Ocean. The boundaries of the belts are determined by the winter and summer positions of the tropical front in each hemisphere. Characteristic changes in air masses with the seasons. In summer, equatorial air, carried by monsoons, dominates - summer is humid; In winter, dry tropical air, carried by trade winds, predominates - winter is dry, with very low relative humidity. Consequently, wet summer and dry winter seasons alternate throughout the year. Annual temperature amplitudes are increasing compared to the equatorial belt. The hottest time occurs at the beginning of the rainy season. However, even in the coolest months the temperature does not drop below +20° C. The annual precipitation on the plains ranges from 1500 to 250 mm on the border with tropical deserts, and on the windward slopes of the mountains it is much more; almost all of them fall in the summer. The duration of the wet period is reduced in the direction of the tropics from 10 to 2-3 months, and annual precipitation and moisture decrease accordingly. The driest areas are the Somali Peninsula, which is protected from the equatorial monsoon by the Ethiopian Highlands, and the northern part of Sudan, on the border with the tropical zone. The mountains of East Africa (Ethiopian Highlands, Kilimanjaro, Kenya, Rwenzori, etc.) have a clearly defined altitudinal climatic zone (up to the nival zone). In addition, the Ethiopian Highlands are distinguished by a sharp exposure difference in the climate of the western and eastern slopes.

Tropical zones(northern and southern) extend to 30° N. w. and Yu. sh., cover almost the entire Sahara and the Kalahari basin with its marginal uplifts. Located between the winter position of the polar and summer position of the tropical fronts in each hemisphere. They occupy the largest territory compared to other climatic zones. Africa is a continent with a classic tropical climate. The northern tropical zone is especially well developed.

In areas belonging to the tropical zones, continental tropical air persists all year round and trade winds prevail. The weather is mostly clear and the air is dry. Winter is warm, but noticeably colder than summer. The average temperatures of the warmest month are +3 0- +35°, the coldest month is not lower than +10°C. Temperature amplitudes are very large (annual about 20°C, daily - up to 40-50°C). There is little precipitation (no more than 50-150 mm per year); They fall irregularly, sporadically, in the form of short showers. Evaporation is approximately 20-25 times higher than actual evaporation. Such features are characteristic of dry, desert tropical climates (the world's largest desert, the Sahara, the southwestern Kalahari and the Namib Desert).

In the west of the mainland (the Atlantic Sahara and the Namib Desert), the deserts are not so hot, with more humid sea air, fog and dew. Cold currents pass here and the influence of the eastern periphery of the Atlantic anticyclones is felt. The relative humidity is high, but there is very little precipitation. It rains in Namibia even less often than in the Sahara, but heavy dew and fog are more common. Temperatures are low for these latitudes (the monthly average is usually below + 21 °C) and diurnal amplitudes are significantly less than in continental deserts. The climate is also extremely dry along the coast of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden; it is one of the hottest and driest places on the globe.

In the southern tropical zone, in addition to the tropical desert climate, there is a tropical dry climate and a tropical humid (marine) climate. The first is characteristic of the Kalahari Basin, where much more precipitation falls than in the deserts; the second is for the east coast of South Africa, where the Drakensberg Mountains stand in the way of the wet trade winds.

Subtropical zones(northern and southern) cover the extreme north and south of Africa. Here tropical air dominates in summer and temperate air in winter. Characterized by wet and dry periods. The seasonal variations in temperature, precipitation and winds are clearly expressed. The amount of precipitation ranges from 300-500 mm on the plains to 1500 mm or more on the windward slopes of the mountains. The Atlas Mountains, the Libyan-Egyptian coast and the extreme southwest of the mainland have a subtropical Mediterranean climate. Dry weather prevails in summer, cyclonic activity develops on the polar front in winter, and wet winter. Northwest and northern Africa experience greater seasonal temperature differences than the southwest. On the Mediterranean coast, average temperatures in July reach + 27 - + 28 °C, in January + 11 - + 12 °C. On the Cape Coast, the average temperature of the warmest month does not exceed +21 ° C, the coldest + 1 3 - + 14 ° C. In the extreme southeast of Africa, the climate is subtropical monsoon. with hot, rainy summers and relatively cold and dry winters. In winter, westerly winds hardly penetrate the southeast coast; this is prevented by the mountains. In winter there is relatively little precipitation. In summer, winds from the Indian Ocean blow along the entire southeast coast, leaving large amounts of moisture on the eastern slopes of the Drakensberg Mountains.

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Africa is the hottest continent on Earth, which owes its geographical location. The continent is located in four climatic zones: equatorial, subequatorial, tropical and subtropical. Africa is located between 37° north and 34° south latitude - that is, in equatorial and tropical latitudes.

Equatorial belt Africa is located on the shores of the Gulf of Guinea and stretches inland to Lake Victoria. The equatorial air mass dominates here all year round, so there are no seasons, it is constantly hot here, and it rains very often. Due to abundant moisture (2-3 mm per year) and a very warm climate (above +20°-+30°C throughout the year), a natural zone of humid equatorial forests has formed here. The forests of Africa are home to an unimaginable number of animal and plant species, many of which are still unknown to science. The interior regions of the equatorial belt remain uninhabited.

Subequatorial belt Surrounds the equatorial from the north, east and south. In contrast, there is no longer year-round rain here, but distinct rainy and dry seasons appear. In summer, the belt is dominated by an equatorial air mass, bringing the rainy season. The amount of precipitation and the duration of this season decrease with distance from the equator. In areas of the mainland where the season lasts most of the year, variable-humid forests are formed, and where the rainy season lasts less than six months, precipitation is no longer sufficient for the development of woody vegetation - open forests and savannas appear there. It is worth noting that summer in Africa falls on June-August in the northern hemisphere and December-February in the southern, therefore, when the rainy season occurs in one part of the subequatorial belt, the tropical air mass dominates in the opposite part - that is, the dry season begins.

Tropical zone Africa is clearly divided into northern and southern. The weather here is clear all year round and there is practically no rain.

The amount of precipitation decreases as you move deeper into the continent. Since a very large area of ​​Africa is located precisely in the northern tropical latitudes, optimal conditions for the formation of deserts are formed here - dry air, increased pressure due to the tropical air mass and distance from the ocean. That is why Africa is considered the continent of classical desert development. In addition to the aridity of the African tropics, it should be noted that there are huge temperature differences. In summer, when the Sun rises high, it literally heats up the desert sand, and the air temperature rises above 30 and even 40 degrees. The highest air temperature in Africa and throughout the world was recorded in the Libyan Desert and amounted to +58°C. At the same time, after sunset the temperature drops sharply by several tens of degrees, and on winter nights it even drops to negative values.

Subtropical zone stretches out in a narrow strip along the northern coast of Africa, as well as in the very south of the continent. It is also divided into northern and southern. In the subtropics, two air masses change throughout the year: in the summer a tropical one comes, which is why summer in the subtropics is hot and dry, and in the winter moderate air comes, bringing precipitation. A natural zone of hard-leaved and evergreen forests has formed here. However, it has hardly been preserved in its original form anywhere, since the territory of the subtropics is being actively transformed by human economic activity.

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The widest part of Africa is located in the center of the hot zone of illumination. The entire continent is caressed by the sun all year round and receives a huge amount of energy from our luminary. The climate of Africa is determined by its geographical location, air circulation, the influence of the oceans, and the nature of the underlying surface. Based on the combination of these main factors, climatic zones (main and transitional) are distinguished on the continent: subtropical, tropical, subequatorial and equatorial. In this order they alternate in the northern hemisphere from north to south.

General characteristics of the African climate

The equator crosses the continent approximately in the center. The northern, larger part of the continent, extends to the Mediterranean Sea in the north and the Arabian Peninsula of Eurasia in the northeast. South of the equator lies a narrow part of Africa, shaped like a triangle. The territory from the equator to the Northern Tropic receives about 200 kcal/cm2 per year. The average for total solar radiation on the mainland is 160 kcal/cm2 per year.

Africa's climate is varied, with heat and moisture distributed unevenly, especially in desert regions. The southwestern foot of the Cameroon volcano receives the maximum amount of precipitation - up to 10,000 mm/year. Africa surpasses other continents in temperature indicators and is the hottest of them. The greatest amount of solar heat occurs in the land mass located between the Northern and Southern Tropics.

We will describe the climate of Africa based on the position of the continent's territories relative to the equator. This is the main climate-forming factor on which the heating of the earth’s surface, and from it, the air, depends. An important role belongs to other conditions: atmospheric circulation, the nature of the relief, features of the underlying surface, position relative to other continents and oceans. Basic and transitional climate types in Africa:

• Equatorial.
• Subequatorial (humid in the south, arid in the north).
• Tropical desert.
• Subtropical Mediterranean.

Equatorial climate of Africa

In the center of the continent, near parallel 0°, a hot and humid climate is formed. The equatorial belt covers the territory from 6° N. w. up to 5° south w. in the Congo Basin in the east, on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea it reaches 8° N. w. The conditions of this area are determined by equatorial air masses - hot and humid; It rains throughout the year. The air in January and July heats up to an average of +25 °C, and 2000-3000 mm of precipitation falls per year. The moisture coefficient reaches 1.5-2 (excessive).

Evergreen forests

The equatorial climate of Africa creates favorable conditions for heat- and moisture-loving plants. The equatorial region of Africa is covered with dense evergreen forests - hylea. It is difficult for animals and people to be under the forest canopy, where it is gloomy and stuffy, the air is saturated with the smells of decaying litter and the aroma of orchids.

The difficult, sparsely populated natural area has been intensively developed in recent years. Forests are cut down to obtain valuable timber for export. Mahogany, abashi (African maple) and other species are mined.

Subequatorial climate zone

Occupies vast areas of the continent from 20° south. w. up to 17° N. w. More than 1/3 of Africa's territory is located in areas of subequatorial climate. In the eastern part, the transition belt is not interrupted by the equatorial one, in the southern hemisphere it does not reach the Atlantic Ocean.

Characteristics of the African climate in the subequatorial region of the continent:

1. Temperature conditions and moisture are determined by the alternating influence of tropical and equatorial air masses. As a result, seasons are formed - wet and dry.
2. In summer, the hot and humid air of equatorial latitudes dominates; in winter, dry tropical air mass arrives and becomes a little cooler.
3. The duration of the dry season ranges from 2 to 10 months. The average annual air temperature is over +20 °C, precipitation will be about 1000 mm/year (in the southern part of the belt).
4. The duration of the wet period and the average annual precipitation decrease towards the outskirts of the subequatorial belt.
5. In the northern regions there is less rain, and the hot breath of the desert is felt. The hottest period of the year occurs at the beginning of the rainy season, when the average monthly temperature exceeds +30 °C.
6. The cool months of the wet period are characterized by temperatures of about +20 °C and above.

Savannah

In addition to its geographical location and atmospheric circulation, the climate features of Africa are determined by the characteristic features of the continent's topography. The edges of the continent are raised; Compared to inland areas, they are located higher above sea level.

Mountain ranges and massifs in the north, east and southeast limit the influence of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans on the climate of the savannah zone, which stretches within the subequatorial belt. The characteristics of the flora and fauna in this part of the continent are determined by the alternation of wet and dry seasons, the lack of moisture for the formation of full-fledged forests and deep riverbeds.

Tropical zone

Features of the African climate in the Northern and Southern Tropics are the dominance of hot and dry air masses. Areas with an arid tropical climate and a significant daily temperature range extend in the north and south of the continent to the 30th parallel. A significant area of ​​the continent is influenced by an arid tropical climate. In this zone, the highest average monthly indicators are noted: +35... 40 °C.

The North African massif receives a lot of solar radiation and very little moisture. The air temperature during the day rarely drops below 20 °C. There is snow on the mountain peaks in the tropics; desert and semi-desert areas lie at the foot. The most extensive lifeless areas: in the north - the Sahara, in the south - the Namib.

Deserts and semi-deserts

In the Sahara there are areas where temperature minimums and maximums were recorded (-3 and +58 ° C). The temperature during the day on the hot sand and rocks reaches +60... 70 °C, at night it can drop to +10 °C. Daily temperature fluctuations reach 50 °C.

Precipitation in the deserts of Africa ranges from 0 to 100 mm/year, which is extremely low. Rains sometimes do not reach the surface of the earth - they dry up in the air. Humidification is poor, Kuvl. = 0.1-0.3. The life of the desert population is concentrated in oases - places where groundwater flows. Agriculture, cattle breeding, and tourist services are developed.

Subtropics of Africa

The extreme south and a narrow strip of the northern coast are occupied by areas of subtropical climate. This is a transitional zone, the features of which are determined by the properties of air masses of temperate and tropical latitudes. The subtropical climate is characterized by dry and rainy seasons and a significant supply of moisture, which contributes to the development of agriculture. The maximum amount of rain in the northwestern and southwestern regions of the African continent occurs in the winter months; in the southeast, the rainy season is summer.

The subtropics of Africa and other areas of the continent attract numerous tourists. World famous resorts are located on the coasts of the Mediterranean and Red Seas, Indian and Atlantic Oceans. The main direction of tourism development and types of recreation in North Africa is beach and excursion. In the savannahs - safari, jeeping. Less visited areas include impenetrable rainforests and uninhabited desert areas.

What is the climate like in Africa now and in the past? The answer to this question lies in the beds of dry rivers (wadis), the ruins of once prosperous cities, covered by the sands of the Sahara. The climate of Africa is becoming arid, deserts are advancing in the north and south. In stark contrast to this phenomenon are floods, when rivers overflow their banks and flood coastal areas. Scientists suggest that catastrophic natural processes may be associated with intensive cutting down of trees, widespread construction of cities and roads, and the development of agriculture and cattle breeding.

Africa has unique climatic conditions. Since the continent crosses the equator, except for the equatorial belt, all other climatic zones are repeated.

Equatorial belt of Africa

The equatorial belt of the African continent is located in the Gulf of Guinea region. It has warm air and a humid climate. The temperature maximum reaches +28 degrees Celsius, and approximately the same temperature above +20 degrees remains year-round. Precipitation amounts to more than 2000 mm per year, which is distributed relatively evenly throughout the territory.

On both sides of the equator there are two subequatorial zones. The summer season is humid and warm with a maximum of +28 degrees, and winter is dry. Depending on the seasons, air currents also change: equatorial wet and dry tropical. This climate zone has long and short rainy seasons, but the total annual precipitation does not exceed 400 mm.

tropical zone

Most of the continent lies in the tropical zone. The air mass here is continental, and under its influence deserts were formed in the Sahara and in the south. There is practically no precipitation here and air humidity is low. It may rain once every few years. During the day the air temperature is very high, and at night the degrees can drop below 0. There is almost always a strong wind that can destroy crops and intensify sandstorms. The small area in the southeast of the mainland has a tropical, humid climate with significant rainfall that falls throughout the year.

Africa climate zone table

The extreme territories of the continent are located in the subtropical zone. The average temperature is +20 degrees with noticeable seasonal variations. The southwestern and northern part of the continent lies in the Mediterranean type zone. There is precipitation in this area in winter and dry summers. A humid climate with regular precipitation throughout the year has developed in the southeast of the continent.

Africa is the only continent that is located on both sides of the equator, which influenced the formation of unique climatic conditions. So on the continent there is one equatorial zone, and two subequatorial, tropical and subtropical zones. It is much hotter here than on other continents with similar climate zones. These climatic conditions influenced the formation of unique nature in Africa.