Latitude: A Key Factor Affecting Climate — Passage and Quiz

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!