Physical Geography of Latin America Climate Zones Hot

Physical Geography of Latin America Climate Zones

Hot to Mild Climate • Tropical Climates – Most of Latin America lies within the tropics – Mountain ranges and wind patterns create a variety of sub-climates – Tropical Wet • Year-round hot temps • Year-round heavy rainfall • Vast areas of rain forest – Amazon Basin shelters more species than any other place on Earth

Hot to Mild Climate • Tropical Climates – Tropical Dry climate extends over parts of: • Middle America • Most Caribbean islands • North-central South America – Savannah • Hot temperatures • Abundant rainfall • Long dry seasons

Hot to Mild Climate • Temperate Climates – South of the Tropic of Capricorn – Humid Subtropical • Dominates southern Brazil to the Pampas • Winters are short & mild • Summers are long, hot, and humid – Mediterranean • Central Chile • Dry summers & rainy winters – Marine West Coast • Southern Chile • Heavy rainfall year

Hot to Mild Climate • Dry Climates – Northern Mexico, coastal Peru & Chile, northeastern Brazil, southeastern Argentina – Grasses cover partly dry steppe lands – Cacti & hardy shrubs adapt to harsher deserts – Atacama Desert • Rain shadow of the Andes in northern Chile (Pacific coast) • One of Earth’s driest places

Hot to Mild Climate • El Niño – Strongly influences weather in South America – Changes in air pressure, temp, and rainfall – Warmer waters bring heavy flooding to Peru – Winds cause long dry seasons and crop failures in northeastern Brazil

Elevation and Climate • Altitude: A place’s height above sea level – Affects climate in specific areas – Higher altitude = cooler temperatures – The Andes have FOUR altitude zones of climate • • Sea Level to 3000 feet 3000 – 6000 feet 6000 – 10, 000 feet Above 10, 000 feet

Elevation and Climate – Terra Caliente • Hot all year • Farmers grow tropical crops – Tierra Templada • Most densely populated • Corn, citrus fruit, coffee – Tierra Fria • Forested and grassy • Potatoes, barley, wheat – Tierra Helada • Sparse vegetation • Few people