Latitude: A Key Factor Affecting Climate — Passage
Latitude is one of the most important factors affecting climate. It refers to the distance of a location from the equator, measured in degrees. The Earth is divided into three main latitude zones: the tropics (near the equator), the temperate zones (mid-latitudes), and the polar zones (near the poles).
Areas near the equator receive direct sunlight year-round, making them warm and humid. These regions experience tropical climates with consistent temperatures and heavy rainfall. In contrast, the polar regions receive indirect sunlight, resulting in cold temperatures and icy conditions.
The temperate zones, located between the tropics and polar regions, experience seasonal changes with distinct summers and winters. This is because the angle of sunlight varies throughout the year.
Latitude also affects the length of daylight hours. Near the poles, days can be extremely long in summer and extremely short in winter, while the equator has nearly equal day and night lengths year-round.
Fun fact: The equator receives about 2.5 times more sunlight than the poles, making it the warmest part of the Earth!
What is latitude?
The height of a location above sea levelThe distance from the equatorThe amount of rainfall in a regionThe type of vegetation in an areaWhich latitude zone is near the equator?
Polar zonesTemperate zonesTropicsArctic zonesWhat type of climate do tropical regions have?
Cold and dryWarm and humidSeasonal with distinct summers and wintersIcy and windyWhy do polar regions have cold temperatures?
They receive direct sunlightThey receive indirect sunlightThey are near the equatorThey have heavy rainfallWhat is one characteristic of temperate zones?
Consistent temperatures year-roundSeasonal changes with summers and wintersExtremely long days in winterHeavy rainfall throughout the yearHow does latitude affect daylight hours?
Days are longer near the equatorDays are shorter near the poles in summerDays are nearly equal in length at the equatorDays are longer near the poles in winterWhat is the fun fact mentioned in the passage?
The equator receives 2.5 times more sunlight than the polesPolar regions have the warmest climatesTemperate zones have no seasonal changesLatitude does not affect climateWhat is one effect of direct sunlight near the equator?
Cold temperaturesWarm and humid climatesIcy conditionsShort daylight hoursCommon core standards covered
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