Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumClimate Types and Characteristics of Africa

Arrange the following African climatic zones in correct latitudinal sequence, starting from the Equator (0∘0^\circ) and moving northwards toward the Mediterranean coast.

  1. 1Equatorial (Tropical Rainforest) Climate Zone
  2. 2Tropical Wet-and-Dry (Sudan Savanna) Climate Zone
  3. 3Semi-Arid Steppe (Sahelian) Climate Zone
  4. 4Tropical Continental Desert (Sahara) Climate Zone
  5. 5Mediterranean Climate Zone

Answer

The correct latitudinal sequence from the Equator northwards to the coast is: Equatorial Climate Zone, Tropical Wet-and-Dry (Sudan Savanna) Climate Zone, Semi-Arid Steppe (Sahelian) Climate Zone, Tropical Continental Desert (Sahara) Climate Zone, and Mediterranean Climate Zone.
Africa exhibits a near-symmetrical latitudinal arrangement of climatic zones away from the Equator. Moving northwards from 0∘0^\circ, atmospheric pressure systems and solar radiation produce sequential climatic belts: Equatorial (0∘0^\circ), Savanna (5∘−15∘N5^\circ-15^\circ\text{N}), Sahelian Steppe (15∘−20∘N15^\circ-20^\circ\text{N}), Sahara Desert (20∘−30∘N20^\circ-30^\circ\text{N}), and Mediterranean (30∘−37∘N30^\circ-37^\circ\text{N}).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the climatic belt situated directly on the Equator (0∘0^\circ).
The Equatorial (Tropical Rainforest) Climate Zone sits at the center (0∘0^\circ).
High sun angles and continuous ITCZ influence create this wet equatorial core.
2
Determine the zone directly adjacent to the Equatorial belt moving northward (5∘N5^\circ\text{N} to 15∘N15^\circ\text{N}).
The Tropical Wet-and-Dry (Sudan Savanna) Climate Zone is next.
This region experiences distinct wet and dry seasons driven by the seasonal migration of the ITCZ.
3
Identify the narrow transitional zone lying between 15∘N15^\circ\text{N} and 20∘N20^\circ\text{N}.
The Semi-Arid Steppe (Sahelian) Climate Zone follows the Savanna.
It acts as a semi-arid buffer between the moist savanna and the hyper-arid desert.
4
Locate the major high-pressure arid zone between 20∘N20^\circ\text{N} and 30∘N30^\circ\text{N}.
The Tropical Continental Desert (Sahara) Climate Zone forms the fourth belt.
Subsiding air masses under the subtropical high-pressure cell maintain extreme aridity.
5
Identify the northern coastal margin zone beyond 30∘N30^\circ\text{N}.
The Mediterranean Climate Zone forms the final northern belt.
Influenced by winter mid-latitude westerlies, it brings mild rainy winters and dry summers to the northern coast.

Key Concept

Symmetrical Latitudinal Distribution of African Climate Belts
Rate this question

Topics

Climate Types and Characteristics of Africa

More questions from this topic