Climate Zones Around the World

Climate is the pattern of weather a place has over many years. Different parts of the world have very different climates, mainly because of how close they are to the equator, and whether they are near the sea or sheltered by mountains. Remember the difference: weather changes from day to day, but climate is the long-term average that you can rely on year after year.

Why is it hotter near the equator? It is because of the curved shape of the Earth. Near the equator, the Sun's rays strike the ground almost straight on, so their heat is concentrated on a small area. Near the poles, the same rays hit at a slant and spread out over a much bigger area, so each patch of ground gets far less warmth. That is the real reason the poles are cold and the middle of the planet is hot.

Tropical climates are found near the equator. They are hot and wet all year, making them perfect for rainforests. Further from the equator are temperate zones — mild seasons, moderate rainfall, and the kind of climate much of Europe and North America experience. The polar zones near the North and South Poles are bitterly cold all year, with long, dark winters.

The equator is not the only thing that decides a climate. Altitude also matters: even in a tropical country you can find snow on very high mountain tops, because the air higher up is colder. The Andes mountains pass through South America's tropical belt, yet their peaks are permanently covered in ice. Being near the sea matters too, because oceans keep nearby land milder, warming it in winter and cooling it in summer.

Plants, animals, and people all live differently depending on their climate zone. In hot, wet tropical climates, thick rainforests grow. In temperate climates, trees lose their leaves in autumn and grow them back in spring. In freezing polar climates, only tough, low-growing plants survive, and animals such as polar bears wear thick coats of fur and fat.