Climatic Zones

The climate of an area is affected by its latitude (distance from the equator). The hottest parts of the world are near the equator and the coldest parts of the world are the farthest from the equator. We can use some lines of latitude to divide the world into climatic zones. The climatic zones of the earth are the torrid zone (hot zone), the temperate zones (cool zones) and the frigid zones (cold zones). Look at the map of the world below. The major lines of latitude are shown.

The part of the earth that lies between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn is known as the torrid zone. These are the hottest parts of the earth. The the torrid zone is often referred to as the tropics.

As you move away from the torrid zone you enter the temperate zone. There is one temperate zone between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle. There is another temperate zone between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle. These zones are cooler than the torrid zone. Every year, areas in the temperate zones experience the four seasons; spring, summer, autumn and winter.

As you move farther away from the equator, you enter the frigid zone or polar zone. There is one frigid zone to the north of the Arctic Circle. It is known as the Arctic. There is another frigid zone to the south of the Antarctic Circle. It is known as the Antarctic. These are the coldest parts of the earth.

Take a look at the map again. Can you locate the different climatic zones?