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Chapter 19, Section 2 (Pages 538–542) Climate Regions Geographers organize the Earth into regions that share common characteristics. As you read, complete the diagram below. In the small boxes, write three facts about the region’s climate. In the large box, write a generalization from those facts. Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Factors Affecting Climate Calculating What is the difference in rainfall between the rain forests of Central and West Africa and the Namib Desert? Rain forest: Namib Desert: Difference = Chapter 19, Section 2 (page 539) The majority of Africa south of the Sahara lies in the Tropics. Most of the region has high temperatures because it receives the direct rays of the sun year-round. Elevation has an impact on the climate, however. Even in this hot region, mountains have cooler temperatures than the lowland areas. The climate zones—wet, dry, and temperate—vary throughout the region. The amount of rainfall also varies. Rain forests in Central and West Africa, for example, receive more than 80 inches of rain per year. The Namib Desert in southern Africa gets less than 10 inches of rain per year. Some areas of Africa south of the Sahara experience long droughts. A drought is a period of time when no rain falls at all. Crops fail, and people can starve during severe droughts. 133 Tropical and Dry Climates (pages 540–541) Tropical Wet Climate Note the placement of the word Equator below. As you read, write in the tropical wet, tropical dry, steppe, and desert climate zones in their appropriate places relative to the Equator. The area along the Equator in Central Africa and West Africa has a tropical wet climate. The hot temperatures and plentiful rainfall are ideal conditions for rain forests—dense stands of trees and other plants that receive large amounts of rain every year. The floor of a rain forest has mosses, ferns, and shrubs. High above, the tops of the trees form an umbrella-like covering called the canopy. Monkeys, parrots, snakes, and insects live in the canopy. Tropical flowers and fruits also grow there. Many tropical African countries depend on the sale of rain forest products, including wood. Farmers cut down trees for firewood and to clear the land for farming. These practices have led to deforestation, or the widespread clearing of forestland. To preserve the rain forests and boost their economies, some countries have developed an ecotourism industry. Tourists visit the area without harming the environment. Tropical Dry Climate Equator Steppe Where do Africa’s most recognizable animals live? 134 Even farther from the Equator is the steppe climate zone. Very little rain falls there, and only for a few months of the year. Plant life includes a variety of trees, thick shrubs, and grasses. Steppe areas are facing desertificaton, a process that turns fertile land into land that is too dry to support life. Climate changes, clearing the land for farming, and herding large numbers of livestock have damaged and dried out the land. Desert The driest climate zone is desert. Africa has three large deserts—the Sahara in the north and the Namib and Kalahari in the south. The Sahara is mostly rock or stony plains. The Kalahari has vast stretches of sand. The Namib, along the Atlantic coast, is slightly cooler than other deserts because it receives ocean breezes. It also gets moisture from fog. This fog helps support succulents, or plants such as cacti with thick, fleshy leaves that conserve moisture. Chapter 19, Section 2 Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Farther away from the Equator, countries experience a tropical dry climate. In this zone, temperatures are hot, but much less rain falls than in the tropical wet areas. Huge stretches of savanna, or grasslands with scattered woods, grow in this dry climate. Some of Africa’s most recognizable animals live in these savannas, including elephants, lions, and giraffes. Several countries have set aside their savannas as national parks. Moderate Climate Regions (page 542) Coastal southern Africa and the highlands of East Africa have moderate climates. The temperatures in these areas are comfortable, and there is enough rainfall for farming. Southeastern Africa has a humid subtropical climate. The summers are hot and rainy, and the winters are mild and rainy. Temperatures become cooler farther south, because the area is farther away from the Equator. Southwestern Africa has a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Seasons occur at the opposite time of the year from seasons in the United States. Thus, most rain falls during the winter months of June through August. Areas of East Africa with higher elevations have highland climates. Temperatures are cooler, and snow often falls at high altitudes. What three moderate climate zones are found in this region? 1. 2. 3. Wrap -Up Answer these questions to check your understanding of the entire section. Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 1. Determining Cause and Effect What practices have led to desertification? 2. Identifying In the chart below, identify the months of the year for each season south of the Equator. Seasons Descri pt ptive Chapter 19, Section 2 Months On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph describing a journey through a rain forest. 135