Download Name

Name: ___________________________________________
Date: __________
Pd:___
Preliminary Location Description:
Antarctica
The unique weather and climate of Antarctica provide the basis for its familiar appellations—Home of the
Blizzard and White Desert. By far the coldest continent, Antarctica has winter temperatures that range from
−128.6° F (−89.2° C), the world’s lowest recorded temperature, measured at Vostok Station (Russia) on July
21, 1983, on the high inland ice sheet to −76° F (−60° C) near sea level. Temperatures vary greatly from place
to place, but direct measurements in most places are generally available only for summertime. Only at fixed
stations operated since the IGY have year-round measurements been made. Winter temperatures rarely reach as
high as 52° F (11° C) on the northern Antarctic Peninsula, which, because of its maritime influences, is the
warmest part of the continent. Mean temperatures of the coldest months are −4° to −22° F (−20° to −30° C) on
the coast and −40° to −94° F (−40° to −70° C) in the interior, the coldest period on the polar plateau being
usually in late August just before the return of the sun. Whereas midsummer temperatures may reach as high as
59° F (15° C) on the Antarctic Peninsula, those elsewhere are usually much lower, ranging from a mean of
about 32° F (0° C) on the coast to between −4° and −31° F (−20° and −35° C) in the interior. These
temperatures are far lower than those of the Arctic, where monthly means range only from about 32° F in
summer to −31° F in winter.
Wind chill—the cooling power of wind on exposed surfaces—is the major debilitating weather factor of
Antarctic expeditions. Fierce winds characterize most coastal regions, particularly of East Antarctica, where
cold, dense air flows down the steep slopes off interior highlands. Known as katabatic winds, they are a surface
flow that may be smooth when moving slowly but that may also become greatly turbulent, sweeping high any
loose snow, if the winds become faster. This turbulent air may appear suddenly and is responsible for the brief
and localized Antarctic “blizzards” during which no snow actually falls and skies above are clear. During one
winter at Mirnyy Station, gusts reached more than 110 miles per hour on seven occasions. At Commonwealth
Bay on the Adélie Coast the wind speed averaged 45 miles per hour (20 metres per second). Gusts estimated at
between 140 and 155 miles per hour on Dec. 9, 1960, destroyed a Beaver aircraft at Mawson Station on the
Mac. Robertson Land coast. Winds on the polar plateau are usually light, with monthly mean velocities at the
South Pole ranging from about 9 miles per hour (4 metres per second) in December (summer) to 17 miles per
hour (8 metres per second) in June and July (winter).
Adapted From:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/27068/Antarctica
Map from: http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Antarctica/Map
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Name: ___________________________________________
Date: __________
Pd:___
Preliminary Location Description:
Beijing, China
Though Beijing is not far from the sea, the wind comes mainly from the northwest throughout the year, so
effects of the ocean on the region’s weather are minimal. Local geography also has a great effect on Beijing’s
climate. Because it lies in a lowland area and is protected by mountains, the city is a little warmer in winter
than other areas of China located at the same latitude; nonetheless, the mean monthly temperature drops below
50 °F (10 °C) for five months out of the year. In addition, wind direction in Beijing is influenced by geography,
with changes occurring from day to night. Generally, there are more southerly winds in the day but northerly or
northwesterly winds at night.
The annual mean temperature of the city is 53 °F (12 °C). The coldest month is January, when the monthly
mean is 24 °F (–4 °C), and the warmest month is July, when it is 79 °F (26 °C). In an average year, the city
experiences 132 days of freezing temperatures between October and March; the mean annual precipitation is 25
inches (635 mm), with most of the total falling from June to August. July is ordinarily the wettest month of the
year, with an average of 9 inches (230 mm).
The region’s precipitation is quite variable. In 1959—an extremely wet year for Beijing—the total precipitation
amounted to 55 inches (1,400 mm), whereas in 1891—an extremely dry year—only 7 inches (180 mm) fell. The
average number of rainy days per year is about 80, and the average relative humidity for the city is 57 percent.
Winter in Beijing is long and usually begins in late October, when northwesterly winds gradually gain strength.
This seasonal wind system dominates the region until March; the Siberian air that passes southward over the
Mongolian Plateau and into China proper is cold and dry, bringing little snow or other precipitation. The
monthly mean temperature from December to February is below freezing. Spring, the windiest season, is short
and rapidly becomes warm. The high spring winds produce an evaporation rate that averages about nine times
the total precipitation for the period and can cause droughts that are harmful to agriculture. Dust storms in the
region, made worse by increasing desertification in Inner Mongolia, are common in April and May. In addition
to being the season of torrential rains, summer is rather hot, as warm and humid air from the southeast often
penetrates into North China. Autumn begins in late September and is a pleasant, though short, season with clear
skies and comfortable temperatures.
Adapted From:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/448956/Beijing/60540/Climate
Map from: http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/China/Map
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Name: ___________________________________________
Date: __________
Pd:___
Preliminary Location Description:
Buenos Aires, Argentina
The temperate climate of the city is characteristic of the Río de la Plata’s coastal plain. The city
is hot and humid during the summer months of December to March, with temperatures in the
low to mid-80s (about 28 °C). The autumn and spring are characterized by fluctuating
temperatures and quickly changing weather. The winter months of June to September are mild
but humid, with mean temperatures in the low 50s F (about 11 °C). The average annual
temperature is about 60 °F (16 °C). Frosts occur from May to September, but snowfall is
extremely rare. Winds are generally of low speed and are more frequent during the season of
electrical storms, between September and March. Rainfall is heaviest in March. Average annual
rainfall is about 45 inches (1,140 mm).
Adapted From:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/83533/Buenos-Aires/276058/Climate
Map from: http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Argentina/Map
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Name: ___________________________________________
Date: __________
Pd:___
Preliminary Location Description:
Cairo, Egypt
Egypt has an arid climate. Alexandria has the highest rainfall, with a mean of 7.4 inches (18.8 centimeters)
annually. Other parts of the Mediterranean coast receive even less rainfall, with only 2.5 inches (6.4
centimeters) annually at Port Said. Most rain falls in the winter, none in the summer. The mean annual
temperature is 69° F (20° C), reaching a high of 80° F (27° C) in the summer.
Cairo is a desert capital. It receives slightly less than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) of rainfall annually, and the mean
annual temperature is 71° F (22° C). In the spring and summer early morning fogs on the Nile Delta provide
some additional moisture. The rest of Egypt has only a few centimeters of rainfall annually. Most of the year is
hot and dry, and periodic droughts extending over several years are common. Aswan, for example, has a mean
annual rainfall of 0.2 inch (0.5 centimeter) and a temperature of 80° F (27° C) with a high of 94° F (34° C) in
the summer.
During the spring, hot, dry khamsin winds blow northward from the Sahara across Egypt to the Mediterranean
coast. The khamsin, which often produces sandstorms, can last for several days, destroying crops. Egypt has no
forests and only a few permanent grasslands for pasture. At best the deserts support sparse drought-resistant
scrub vegetation.
Cairo has only two seasons: approximately eight months of summer and four months of winter. In the hottest of
the summer months—June, July, and August—the average daily maximum temperature is 95 °F (35 °C), and
the average daily minimum is 70 °F (21 °C). The summer temperature has reached as high as 117 °F (47 °C).
During winter the strong Tropic of Cancer sun makes for warm, dry days, but nights are cool and humid, often
freshened by breezes from the Nile. The average daily maximum temperature in January–February is 67 °F (19
°C), and the average daily minimum is 47 °F (8.5 °C).
Adapted from:
http://school.eb.com/comptons/article-200009
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/88520/Cairo/275558/Climate
Map from: http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Egypt/Map
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Name: ___________________________________________
Date: __________
Pd:___
Preliminary Location Description:
Libreville, Gabon
The country’s tropical climate is characterized by heavy precipitation and high temperatures and humidity.
Libreville features a tropical monsoon climate with a lengthy wet season and a short dry season. Libreville’s
wet season spans about nine months (September through May), with a heavy amount of rain falling during these
months. The city’s dry season lasts from June through August and is caused by the cold Beneguela Current
reaching its northernmost extent and suppressing rainfall. Despite the lack of rain, Libreville remains very
cloudy during this time of year.
Gabon is located on the Atlantic coast of central Africa. Located on the equator, between latitudes 3°N and 4°S,
and longitudes 8° and 15°E. Gabon generally has an equatorial climate with an extensive system of rainforests
covering 85% of the country. There are three distinct regions: the coastal plains (ranging between 20 to 300 km
from the ocean's shore), the mountains (the Cristal Mountains to the northeast of Libreville, the Chaillu Massif
in the centre, culminating at 1575 m with Mont Iboundji), and the savanna in the east. The coastal plains form a
large section of the World Wildlife Fund's Atlantic Equatorial coastal forests ecoregion and contain patches of
Central African mangroves especially on the Muni River estuary on the border with Equatorial Guinea.
As common with many cities with this climate, average temperatures remain relatively constant throughout the
course of the year, with average high temperatures at around 30 °C (86.0 °F) .
Annual precipitation is abundant throughout the country, but seasonal and regional variations are important.
Precipitation averages more than 48 inches (1,200 mm) annually but often surpasses 80 inches (2,000 mm).
Temperatures are relatively stable, with little variation between seasons. More variation occurs between day and
night, when the difference between the highs and lows averages about 27 °F (15 °C). Over most of the country,
annual average temperatures range between the high 60s and low 80s F (low and high 20s C), although in the
south the cooling effect of the Benguela Current may produce temperatures as low as the mid-50s F (low 10s
C). The average daily humidity is about 80 percent.
9
Adapted From:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/132321/Congo-Brazzaville/40706/Climate
Map from:
http://www.afropop.org/explore/show_country/ID/21/Congo,%20African%20Music,%20World%20Music
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Name: ___________________________________________
Date: __________
Pd:___
Preliminary Location Description:
Death Valley, California
California’s climate is marked by two seasons—a wet and a dry. Except on the coast, the
dryness of the air and the resulting rapidity of evaporation reduce the severity of summer heat.
Precipitation ranges from more than 170 inches (4,300 mm) in the northwest to traces in the
southeastern desert, but moderate temperatures and rainfall prevail along the coast. The climate
also changes rapidly with elevational extremes. Death Valley, with its lowest point at 282 feet
(86 metres) below sea level, is the hottest and driest place in North America. Its temperatures
easily soar into the 100s F (about 48 °C) in the summer, and average annual rainfall is only
about 2 inches (50 mm). Summer temperatures in the low-lying Colorado Desert can reach as
high as about 130 °F (54 °C), and annual precipitation there averages only 3 to 4 inches (75 to
100 mm). In the higher eastern deserts of California, summer temperatures are more moderate.
Winter temperatures in the Sierra Nevada can drop to near freezing. The average annual
temperature is in the mid-60s F (about 18 °C) in Los Angeles, with an annual precipitation
average of about 14 inches (350 mm). In San Francisco temperatures average in the mid-50s F
(about 14 °C), with annual precipitation of about 20 inches (508 mm). On the coast,
temperatures seldom exceed 90 °F (32 °C) or drop to freezing, and humidity is low.
Adapted From:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/89503/California/278657/Climate
Map from: http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/usa/california/map.htm
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Name: ___________________________________________
Date: __________
Pd:___
Preliminary Location Description:
Great Inagua, Bahamas
The Bahamian climate, mild throughout the year, is one of the great attractions of the area. The
average temperature varies from the low 70s F (about 21 °C) during the winter to the low 80s F
(about 27 °C) during the summer, and extremes seldom fall below the low 60s F (about 16 °C)
or rise above the low 90s F (about 32 °C). The average annual rainfall is about 44 inches (1,120
mm), occurring mostly during the summer months. Prevailing winds, coming from the northeast
in winter and from the southeast in summer, lend a cooling influence to a generally humid
atmosphere. Tropical cyclones (hurricanes) pose a threat during the period from June to
November and have occasionally caused great destruction.
Adapted From:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/48951/The-Bahamas/54746/Climate
Map from: http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Bahamas/Map
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Name: ___________________________________________
Date: __________
Pd:___
Preliminary Location Description:
Greenland
Lying to the northeast of continental North America and almost wholly within the Arctic Circle, Greenland is
subject to intense cold and terrible blizzards. Glaciers flow from Greenland's icy mountains and discharge a
billion tons of ice into the sea every year. Many of these enormous icebergs are carried into the lanes of ocean
travel. The Jakobshavn Glacier, often moving 100 feet (30 meters) a day, is among the world's fastest glaciers.
Greenland's major physical feature is its massive ice sheet, which is second only to Antarctica's in size. The ice
sheet reaches a maximum thickness of about 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) and covers more than 700,000 square
miles, or nearly 85 percent of Greenland's total land area.
Some sections of Greenland have enough soil and warmth to support tundra vegetation and small trees. In
general, however, the climate of Greenland is bleak and Arctic. Seven species of land mammals—polar bears,
musk-oxen, reindeer, Arctic foxes, snow hares, ermines, and lemmings—can be found on the island. Seals and
whales are found in the surrounding waters and were formerly the chief source of nourishment for the
Greenlanders. Cod, salmon, flounder, and halibut are important saltwater fish, and the island's rivers contain
salmon and trout.
The climate of Greenland is Arctic, modified only by the slight influence of the Gulf Stream in the southwest.
Rapid weather changes, from sunshine to impenetrable blizzards, are common. Average winter (January)
temperatures range from the low 20s F (about -7 °C) in the south to approximately -30 °F (about -34 °C) in the
north. Summer temperatures along the southwestern coast average in the mid-40s F (about 7 °C) during July,
while the average in the far north is closer to 40 °F (about 4 °C). Greenland experiences about two months of
midnight sun during the summer. Average annual precipitation decreases from more than 75 inches (1,900 mm)
in the south to about 2 inches (50 mm) in the north. Large areas of the island can be classified as Arctic deserts
because of their limited precipitation. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, scientists posited that global
warming was profoundly affecting not only Greenland's climate but also its physical geography. A number of
scientists noted, for example, that Greenland's vast ice sheet was shrinking at a highly increased rate.
Adapted from:
http://www.school.eb.com/comptons/article-228995
http://www.school.eb.com/eb/article-2834
Map from: http://www.maps2anywhere.com/Maps/Greenland_map.htm
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Name: ___________________________________________
Date: __________
Pd:___
Preliminary Location Description:
Hawaii’s Big Island (Hawaii)
Hawaii lies just below the Tropic of Cancer, and its mild tropical climate is considered by
many people to be the world’s ideal. Although the weather is often humid by U.S. mainland
standards, temperatures are conditioned by the northeast trade winds, which prevail most of the
year and make living on the islands delightfully comfortable. As moisture-laden air is carried
over the islands, most frequently by the trade winds, it is likely to condense, form cap clouds,
and dissipate against the shores and mountains of the windward coasts, which are therefore
more lush in foliage (plants) than the leeward coasts.
Most Hawaiians recognize only two seasons: summer and winter. Summer (kau) lasts from
May through October, with high temperatures and reliable trade winds. The rainy season, winter
(hoʿoilo), lasts from November to April, with cooler temperatures and frequent rainstorms.
The average temperature in Honolulu is in the low 70s F (about 22 °C) in the coolest month and
in the high 70s F (about 26 °C) in the warmest, though extreme temperatures in the high 50s F
(about 14 °C) and low 90s F (about 33 °C) have been recorded there.
Rainfall variations throughout the state are dramatic. Mount Waialeale, on the island of Kauai,
is often called the wettest spot on Earth, with an annual average rainfall of about 450 inches
(11,430 mm). The driest area of the state is at Kawaihae, on the island of Hawaii, where the
average annual rainfall is only about 9 inches (220 mm). The average yearly rainfall in
Honolulu is 23 inches (590 mm), and in Hilo (on the Big Island), one of the state’s wettest
cities, it is about 130 inches (3,300 mm).
Big Island
Adapted From:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/257332/Hawaii/79277/Climate
Map from: http://www.citytowninfo.com/places/hawaii/map
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Name: ___________________________________________
Date: __________
Pd:___
Preliminary Location Description:
Helsinki, Finland
Finland has a high-latitude, continental type climate. In the southern part (including Helsinki), moderating
winds off the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea prevent severe weather conditions. The northern portions of the
country have long, severe winters and short, cool summers.
Frost can occur during any month in the north, and even in the south the growing season averages only three
months or less. Because of the country's far northern latitude, however, it has long hours of summer daylight,
which somewhat offsets the short growing season. The annual average precipitation ranges from 24 inches (61
centimeters) in the south (where Helsinki is) to 16 inches (41 centimeters) in the far north. Winter snowfall is
considerable.
The part of Finland north of the Arctic Circle suffers extremely severe and prolonged winters. Temperatures can
fall as low as −22 °F (−30 °C). In these latitudes the snow never melts from the north-facing mountain slopes,
but in the short summer (Lapland has about two months of the midnight sun), from May to July, temperatures
can reach as high as 80 °F (27 °C). Farther south, near Helsinki, the temperature extremes are slightly less
marked, as the Baltic Sea- and Gulf Stream-warmed airflow from the Atlantic keeps temperatures as much as 10
degrees higher than at similar latitudes in Siberia and Greenland. Winter is the longest season in Finland. North
of the Arctic Circle the polar night lasts for more than 50 days; in southern Finland the shortest day lasts about
six hours. Annual precipitation, about one-third of which falls as sleet or snow, is about 25 inches (600 mm) in
the south and a little less in the north. All Finnish waters are subject to some surface freezing during the winter.
Adapted from:
http://school.eb.com/comptons/article-200677
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/2074
24/Finland
Map from:
http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countrie
s/Finland/Map
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Name: ___________________________________________
Date: __________
Pd:___
Preliminary Location Description:
Melbourne, Australia
Australia has a wide range of tropical and mid-latitude climates, though it lacks the high mountain ranges that
diversify the weather and climate patterns on other continents. It is generally quite hot and dry. Australia
receives less precipitation than any other continent except Antarctica—an annual average of only 16.5 inches
(42 centimeters), with half of the continent receiving less than 12 inches (30 centimeters) per year.
Australia's eastern and southern coasts (where Melbourne is), are dominated by mid-latitude climates such as
Mediterranean, humid subtropical, and coastal maritime climates. They experience lesser temperature ranges
and more reliable rainfall. Precipitation in these areas averages 40 to 60 inches (100 to 150 centimeters) each
year. Although most of the precipitation comes from rain, snow covers many of the eastern mountains in the
winter. Only at these higher elevations do winter temperatures compare with those commonly experienced in
North America and Northern Europe. In low-lying areas summer temperatures average about 64° F (18° C),
compared with winter temperatures of about 50° F (10° C).
Melbourne and its surroundings enjoy a mild climate but are periodically jolted by hot northerly winds
alternating with cold southwesterlies. However, seasonal differences are not great, and winter in Melbourne
seems like autumn or spring in North America or Europe. The average daily maximum temperatures range from
55° F (13° C) in July to 79° F (26° C) in January.
Adapted from:
http://www.school.eb.com/comptons/article-258643
http://www.school.eb.com/comptons/article-258714
Map from: http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Australia/Map
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Name: ___________________________________________
Date: __________
Preliminary Location Description:
Miami, Florida
Pd:___
Climatically, Florida is divided into two regions. The tropical zone lies generally south of a west-east line
drawn from Bradenton along the south shore of Lake Okeechobee to Vero Beach (includes Miami), while north
of this line the state is subtropical. Summers are uniform throughout Florida. Freezing weather of short
duration (but often crippling to agriculture) can occur as far south as Miami, but the Keys have never had frost.
Rainfall is heaviest in summer, with drier weather in the winter months. The average annual rainfall ranges
from 40 inches (1,000 mm) in Key West to 62 inches (1,575 mm) in West Palm Beach. Snow falls occasionally
in the northern areas and has been reported as far south as Miami. The west coast of the state is particularly
prone to lightning strikes in the summer months. Hurricanes (tropical cyclones) strike the state about once a
year on the average, although Florida is no more vulnerable to these storms than are the other Gulf Coast states
or, indeed, the entire Atlantic coast as far north as Boston. The hurricane season is from June to November,
though September is the month during which they are most likely to occur. Among the more notable storms are
the Great Hurricane (1928), which killed thousands of Floridians and has remained the most deadly to hit the
state; and Hurricane Andrew (1992), which devastated southern Florida and caused extensive property damage.
Average annual temperatures show little variation, ranging from 68 °F (20 °C) in Tallahassee in the north to 77
°F (25 °C) at Key West in the south. Corresponding monthly averages range from the mid-40s °F (6 to 8 °C) in
the north to the mid-50s °F (12 to 14 °C) in the south in January, and are in the lower 80s °F (27 to 29 °C) in
August.
Adapted From:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/210799/Florida/78348/Climate
Map from: http://www.miami-beach-travel-guide.com/miami-beach-maps.html
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Name: ___________________________________________
Date: __________
Pd:___
Preliminary Location Description:
Mount Everest Base Camp
Glaciers cover the slopes of Everest to its base. Individual glaciers on the sides of the
mountain are the Kangshung Glacier to the east; the East, Central, and West Rongbuk
(Rongpu) glaciers to the north and northwest; the Pumori Glacier to the northwest; and the
Khumbu Glacier to the west and south, which is fed by the glacier bed of the Western Cwm, an
enclosed valley of ice between Everest and the Lhotse-Nuptse Ridge to the south. Glacial
action has been the primary force behind the heavy and continuous erosion of Everest and the
other high Himalayan peaks.
The mountain’s drainage pattern radiates to the southwest, north, and east. The Khumbu
Glacier melts into the Lobujya (Lobuche) River of Nepal, which flows southward as the Imja
River to its confluence with the Dudh Kosi River. In Tibet the Rong River originates from the
Pumori and Rongbuk glaciers and the Kama River from the Kangshung Glacier: both flow into
the Arun River, which cuts through the Himalayas into Nepal. The Rong, Dudh Kosi, and Kama
river valleys form, respectively, the northern, southern, and eastern access routes to the summit.
The climate of Everest is always hostile to living things. The warmest average daytime
temperature (in July) is only about −2 °F (−19 °C) on the summit; in January, the coldest
month, summit temperatures average −33 °F (−36 °C) and can drop as low as −76 °F (−60 °C).
Storms can come up suddenly, and temperatures can plummet unexpectedly. The peak of
Everest is so high that it reaches the lower limit of the jet stream, and it can be buffeted by
sustained winds of more than 100 miles (160 km) per hour. Precipitation falls as snow during
the summer monsoon (late May to mid-September). The risk of frostbite to climbers on Everest
is extremely high.
Adapted From:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/197160/Mount-Everest/230895/Drainage-and-climate
Maps from: http://www.alpineascents.com/everest-map.asp
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/everest/resources/basecampmap.html
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Name: ___________________________________________
Date: __________
Pd:___
Preliminary Location Description:
Moscow, Russia
The climate of Moscow is dominated by westerly winds from the Atlantic. Precipitation is
moderate, about 23 inches (580 mm) a year. Snow is common, beginning usually about midNovember and lasting generally until mid-March; the city is well-equipped to keep the streets
clear. Winters are long, yet they are significantly milder than in similar climatic regions of
North America. Southerly airstreams occasionally bring days with temperatures above freezing.
On the other hand, northerly winds from the Arctic bring very sharp drops in temperature, often
accompanied by clear, brisk weather with low relative humidity. Thus, although the January
average temperature is 14 °F (−10 °C), there can be a lot of variation; temperatures have
dropped to near −45 °F (−43 °C). Spring is relatively brief, and the temperature rises rapidly
during late April. Summers are warm, and July, the warmest month, has an average temperature
in the mid-60s F (about 18 °C); temperatures nearing 100 °F (38 °C) have been reached in
August. Rainy days are not uncommon, but the summer rainfall often comes in brief, heavy
downpours and thunderstorms. Autumn, like spring, is short, with rapidly falling temperatures.
Until the late 1950s there was increasing air pollution in Moscow. Smog was common, often
with heavy concentrations of sulfur dioxide. A major campaign to control noxious (unhealthy)
emissions was launched, assisted greatly by changing from coal to natural gas as the principal
fuel. Some factories that had contributed to pollution were moved out of the city. Slight
improvement in Moscow’s air had been marked, but since the 1980s the growing number of
motor vehicles and the increase in the number of power generators have once again increased
the concentrations of such exhaust pollutants as carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide in
Moscow.
Adapted From:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/393409/Moscow/275529/Climate
Map from: http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Russia/Map
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Name: ___________________________________________
Date: __________
Pd:___
Preliminary Location Description:
San Salvador, El Salvador
The climate of El Salvador is tropical but is moderated by elevation in the interior; in general
it is warm rather than hot, varying between the high 50s and low 70s F (about 15 and 23 °C).
Heavy rains, known as the temporales, fall in the winter season, from May to October. The dry
summer season lasts from November to April. There is considerable climatic variation in the
different regions. The Pacific lowlands and low areas in the middle Lempa River valley have
mean monthly temperatures between the high 70s and mid-80s F (about 25 and 29 °C). In San
Salvador, the capital, which is 2,238 feet (682 metres) above sea level, the maximum monthly
mean temperature is in the mid-90s F (about 34 °C), in March, and the lowest monthly mean is
in the low 60s F (about 17 °C), in January. In the mountains, above 4,800 feet (1,460 metres),
mean monthly temperatures vary between the low 60s and low 70s F (about 17 and 22 °C).
Annual precipitation on the Pacific lowlands averages about 65 to 70 inches (about 1,700 mm);
on the southern and northern mountain ranges, at elevations between 2,000 and 3,500 feet (600
and 1,060 metres), the average is between 70 and 100 inches (1,800 and 2,500 mm); the higher
mountains receive a little more. Annual precipitation recorded in the deeper valleys and
surrounding plateaulike areas is between about 45 and 60 inches (1,100 and 1,500 mm).
Adapted From:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/181798/El-Salvador/40899/Climate
Map from: http://elsalvador.embassyhomepage.com/
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Name: ___________________________________________
Date: __________
Pd:___
Preliminary Location Description:
Santiago, Chile
Situated in north-central Chile in the fertile Central Valley, Santiago lies at an altitude of about
1,700 feet (520 meters) in a depression formed by mountain ranges. To the east are the Andes,
and to the west are the coastal ranges. Most of the Andean peaks are snow-covered in winter.
The city spreads on both banks of the Mapocho River, which flows through the city in a manmade canal. Santiago is subject to frequent earthquakes, and many of its historic buildings have
been damaged repeatedly. In recent history a 2010 earthquake struck about 200 miles (325
kilometers) south of the city, causing widespread damage throughout the region. The mild
climate has mean summer (January) temperatures of 68° F (20° C) and winter (July)
temperatures of 46° F (7.7° C). Annual precipitation of about 15 inches (38 centimeters) is
concentrated in the winter months.
Central Chile occupies an area roughly between 30° and 40° S. latitude. It is located in a valley
(known as the Central Valley or Vale of Chile) that is cradled between the coastal mountains
and the Andes. This heavily populated area is the economic, political, and agricultural core of
the nation. The valley's fertile soils produce most of the nation's food supply. The climate of
central Chile is temperate, with most rainfall occurring from May to August, during the
Southern Hemisphere's wintertime. Summers are warm and typically rainless. To the east of
Santiago is the towering, snow-capped Mount Tupungato. Crossed by low hills, the valley
continues southward before reaching the sea near Puerto Montt.
Adapted from:
http://school.eb.com/comptons/article-9276891
Map from; http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Chile/Map
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Name: ___________________________________________
Date: __________
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Preliminary Location Description:
Tokyo, Japan
Although Tokyo lies somewhat farther south than Washington, D.C., the two cities have similar
climates. In both the one really uncomfortable season is the summer, when humidity is
extreme, and the temperature may rise to above 100° F (38° C). On most August days in Tokyo
it rises to near 90° F (32° C), and it is not the heat but the humidity that matters. The winters are
brisk but not savagely cold. Heavy snowstorms usually come in early spring and quickly melt
away. The temperature sometimes drops below freezing but only slightly. Winter is the sunniest
season of the year and has the cleanest air. It is the only season when one would not be startled
to see Mount Fuji from a high building near the centre of the city.
Spring and autumn are delightful, though the weather tends to be more turbulent (stormy and
windy) than in Washington. There are rainy periods in early summer and early autumn. The
autumn can have typhoons, the Pacific equivalent of the hurricane. It is a rare year in which one
or more does not strike the region. The flowers of spring and the leaves of autumn have been
endlessly and justly celebrated in Japanese poetry. May, with its peonies, azaleas, wisteria, and
dogwood, is the most flowery month, although the more famous cherry blossoms come early in
April. Plums, camellias, and witch hazel bloom yet earlier. At no time of the year, even the
“dead” of winter, is the city without outdoor blossoms.
Adapted From:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/598501/Tokyo-Yokohama-Metropolitan-Area/39115/Climate
Map from: http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Japan/Map
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