Africa is crossed almost in the middle by the equator, therefore, in its northern and southern parts climatic zones, with the exception of the equatorial, are repeated (Fig. 61). There are two subequatorial, two tropical and two subtropical belts.

Equatorial belt covers a narrow coastal strip along the Gulf of Guinea and the Congo Basin. Warm and humid equatorial air masses prevail in this belt throughout the year, so there is one type of climate - equatorial. The temperature here is high throughout the year and reaches +26 ... 28 ° С. The total annual precipitation is over 2000 mm, and they are distributed evenly throughout the year.

Subequatorial climatic zones with their characteristic subequatorial type of climate located on both sides of the equatorial belt, up to approximately latitude 15-20 °. Here, during the year, there is also a high temperature (+ 25 ... 28 ° С), but the alternation of summer humid and winter dry periods is clearly traced. This is due to the change in the types of air masses depending on the seasons. Equatorial humid air mass dominates here in summer, dry tropical air in winter.

The climate is on both sides of the equator. There are two rainy periods in the annual cycle of the subequatorial belts. Locals call them "long rains" and "short rains". They are separated by two winter dry periods. North and south of the equator, dry periods lengthen, precipitation decreases and becomes less and less regular. The annual rainfall shown on the map is actually not very accurate, because a place that is reported to receive 380 mm of annual rainfall can reach this figure over several years.

Tropical belts occupy the largest area on the mainland. Continental tropical air mass dominates here throughout the year. Under its influence in the Sahara, as well as in South Africa, a region is formed tropical continental (desert) type of climate.

The Sahara is located in the zone of descending air movements and arid trade winds of the Northern Hemisphere. This is mainly due to the insignificant amount of precipitation and low relative humidity. The sky here is mostly cloudless, but its color is almost never transparent blue, since the smallest dust hangs in the air. Precipitation is extremely irregular. It happens that for several years not a single drop of rain reaches the surface of the earth. High daytime and low nighttime air temperatures, as well as its significant dryness, as well as dust storms, negatively affect a person's stay in the desert.

In the Sahara, the wind wakes up and goes to bed together with the sun. Winds play a significant role in desert life. Here, on average, out of 100 days, only six are calm. The hot winds in the north of the Sahara are notorious. They blow from the center of the desert and can destroy crops in a matter of hours. Strong winds (samums) cause dust and sand storms. The wind speed during the storm reaches 50 m / s. A mass of sand and small stones rises into the air. Storms begin and subside suddenly, leaving behind clouds of dry, slowly settling dusty "fog".

In the southeastern part of Africa, an area is being formed tropical humid type of climate with a lot of precipitation throughout the year. Material from the site

The extreme north and south of Africa are located in subtropical climatic zones. The average annual temperature here is about 20 ° C, but it fluctuates noticeably from season to season. Depending on the amount of precipitation in the subtropical zones, two climatic regions are distinguished. In the north and southwest of Africa, the region dominates Mediterranean climate(typical for the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, hence the name). Precipitation in this area falls mainly in winter; summer, on the contrary, is dry. (Remember how this is explained.) In the southeast of the mainland, the region dominates subtropical humid climate with uniform moisture. Under the influence of trade winds, precipitation here is distributed more or less evenly throughout the year.

  • Africa is located in the equatorial, subequatorial, tropical and subtropical climatic zones.
  • In the equatorial and subequatorial climatic zones, one type of climate prevails.
  • In the tropical climate zone, tropical continental and tropical humid are distinguished, and in the subtropical zone - Mediterranean and subtropical humid types of climate.

On this page material on topics:

  • In which zone is the tropisian dry winter

  • Location of africa climatic zones

  • Climate table of the belts of africa n.p. s.p

  • The climate of Africa can be described as a unique phenomenon due to its location.

    Africa is the only continent in the world that stretches on two sides of the equator.

    Interestingly, the equator not only divides the globe into two hemispheres, it also divides the African continent almost equally.

    The climate has a very large impact on the nature of the area, because it determines the weather regimes, as well as changes in weather conditions.

    The soil of the area, flora and fauna, all kinds of sectors of the economy, as well as

    .

    The formation of certain climatic conditions in Africa is influenced by a variety of factors that subsequently determine the life and activities of people who live in a particular type of climate.

    Africa is considered the hottest continent due to its location in the hottest climatic zones.

    Interestingly, three of the four climatic zones on the continent are repeated twice.

    Due to the fact that Africa is crossed by the equator, around which the equatorial climatic zone has formed, the rest of the climatic zones mirror each other.

    The subequatorial, tropical, subtropical and temperate zones are found twice on the continent.

    Equatorial climate zone of Africa

    The equatorial belt occupies an area along the Gulf of Guinea and runs up to the depression in the Congo and.

    The whole year is dominated by equatorial warm air mass, which determines the weather conditions.

    In this part of Africa there are no seasons with temperature extremes and changes in weather conditions, it is constantly very hot here and it often rains. Precipitation falls evenly throughout the year.

    365 days a year, the temperature here is high - from 24 ° C to 28 ° C.

    The equatorial climate is characterized by abundant rainfall. Over the year, in different regions of the equatorial part of the continent, precipitation falls from 1500 to 2500 mm.

    Because of this, very high humidity and heat are formed, which is difficult to endure, the coolness of the night brings relief.

    In the African equatorial part, constant clouds and frequent fogs can be observed.

    Clouds gather almost every day before lunch, which in the afternoon, towards evening, materialize in rain or thunderstorm.

    They represent the flora and fauna in a wonderful abundance, which is not fully understood.

    On both sides of the equator, as well as from the east of the equatorial belt, subequatorial climatic zones stretch.

    This climatic zone is also very hot, with temperatures throughout the year varying from 26 to 30 ° C in summer and 15 to 17 ° C in winter.

    Subequatorial climate zone of Africa

    In the subequatorial climate zone, rainy and dry seasons are clearly visible.

    The duration of the rains, as well as the numerical indicators of precipitation, decrease as the belt moves away from the equator.

    This directly affects the flora of the area.

    In places where there is not enough rainfall, tree vegetation practically does not grow, lush forests are replaced by light forests, which smoothly turn into shrouds.

    It is very interesting to note the alternation in the subequatorial climatic zones of the rainy season and the predominance of the dry season.

    At a time when in one of the subequatorial zones of Africa there is a rainy season, which brings equatorial air mass, in another subequatorial zone at this time, air mass from the tropics dominates, which entails the onset of the dry season.

    Tropical climate zone of Africa

    A characteristic feature of this climate is dry, hot weather and minimal rainfall, which decreases with distance from the center of the continent and further into its interior.

    Africa for the most part is spread in a tropical climate, so there are a lot of deserts, the formation of which is facilitated by dry air, a remote location from the ocean, as well as increased pressure due to tropical air masses.

    These are ideal conditions for the development of numerous deserts and savannas.

    The Sahara is the largest desert on the planet and is located in the tropical climate of Africa. Not a single drop of precipitation may fall here for years and it is extremely difficult for a person to be here.

    The air is filled with fine dust and very often strong winds blow, creating sand dust storms.

    Wind and dust form whimsical sand.

    The tropical belt, in addition to aridity, is inherent in a very sharp daily temperature drop.

    During the day, the thermometer rises above 40 ° C, heating up the sand and air, and at night the temperature drops sharply by a couple of tens of degrees and can go down to negative values.

    The maximum air temperature worldwide was recorded in the Libyan desert of the African tropical belt and reached 58 ° C.

    The northern coast, as well as the extreme south of the mainland, occupies a subtropical belt, which is characterized by a change in air masses and a division of the year according to seasons.

    The average annual temperature is approximately 20 ° C. It varies significantly depending on the summer and winter seasons.

    Subtropical climate of Africa

    The subtropical zone of Africa in the northern and southwestern parts of the continent is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and precipitation in winter, which brings temperate air.

    In the southeast, a subtropical humid climate prevails.

    It contributes to the fact that throughout the year, precipitation is distributed quite evenly here.

    Africa

    Tectonic structure

    Monocentric continent. Its ancient structural core is the Precambrian platform of Gondwana origin. The structure of the African Platform is distinguished by a number of features:

    Different elevation of the crystalline base;

    Different degrees of overlap of the base by the sedimentary cover (in the northern and southern parts).

    The North African part of the platform is called the Mediterranean region, where the crystalline base is less elevated, but over a large area is covered by a sedimentary cover.

    South and East Africa (the so-called Gondwana region) tectonically is a shield, where the crystalline base is more elevated and comes to the surface in large areas.

    Complex alternation of shields and syneclises.

    Large shields within the continent are the Ahaggar (Regibat Shield), Tibesti (Nubian Shield), Central African Shield, Leon-Liberian Shield, Abyssinian Shield, East African Shield, South Guinean Shield.

    Among the syneclises stand out: Senegambian, Taudeni, Chad, Kufra, Congo, Okavango, Kalahari, Karoo.

    The African platform is supplemented by 2 small folded areas: the northwestern margin of the mainland - the area of ​​the Caledonian-Cenozoic folding - Atlas. In the south of the mainland - the region of the Hercynian folding - the Cape Mountains.

    The eastern part of the African Plate was activated by the latest tectonic movements and is essentially an epiplatform mobile belt.

    Relief

    The relief of the mainland is characterized by a number of features:

    Its average height is significant (second place after Antarctica)

    By the prevailing heights, the northern part of the continent stands out on the one hand, and the southern and eastern parts on the other. In the northern part of the mainland, the prevailing heights are about 500 m - the so-called. Low Africa. In the southern and eastern parts - dominated by heights of about 1000 m - High Africa. The border between Low and High Africa is drawn along the line Luanda - the port of Massawa.

    A significant predominance of plains, which is associated with the platform structure of the main part of the continent

    Constant alternation of raised and lowered areas that correspond to the shields and syneclises of the platform. Among the uplifted areas there are plateaus, plateaus, hills, small tracts; among the lowered areas, hollows and depressions are distinguished. From shields to syneclises, there is a natural change in the types of relief. The basement plateaus, plateaus, massifs correspond to the shields, the edge zones of the shields and the wings of the syneclises are weakly inclined denudation-accumulative plateaus, the axial parts of the syneclises are accumulative plains.

    The relief of East Africa is distinguished by a significant originality. Its development is due to complex processes taking place in the largest continental fault zone on the mainland.


    The relief in different parts of Africa has its own characteristics.

    North Africa includes the Atlas Mountains, Sahara and Sudan.

    Atlas mountains- mountains are high, young, folded in the northern part and folded-block in the southern. They have a complex orographic plan. There are 2 main lines of ridges: northern and southern, between which lies a complex internal zone. In the west, this inner zone begins with the Moroccan Meseta plateau, continues with high ridges (Middle Atlas, High Atlas), and then gives way to extended high plateaus.

    Sahara... The main part of the territory is occupied by plateaus with heights of about 500-600 m. Plateaus alternate with a number of depressions and hollows. In some places, significant crystalline massifs (Ahaggar, Tibesti) rise above the surface of the plateau. Low-lying plains stretch along the coast.

    Sudan... The relief changes significantly when moving from west to east as the syneclises are replaced by anticlips and shields. The marginal position in the west is occupied by the Senegambian lowland. Behind it there are low uplifts that separate it from the depression of the Middle Niger. Behind it, a noticeable uplift will be the Air plateau and the Jos massif. Further to the east lies the basin of Lake Chad, behind which the Darfur and Kordofan plateaus are located. The marginal position in the east is occupied by the White Nile depression.

    Central and West Africa includes the Congo Basin and the surrounding uplifts, as well as the North Guinea Upland.

    Congo depression corresponds to a large syneclise and is surrounded on all sides by raised areas of the crystalline base. These areas correspond to plateaus, plateaus, massifs, hills. To the north of the depression lies a large uplift of sub-latitudinal strike - Azande. To the northwest of the depression lie the Adamawa Mountains. In the west, it is bordered by the South Guinean Upland. To the southwest lies the Biye massif. From the south, the depression is bordered by the Lund-Shaba uplift. In the east, the Mitumba Mountains are a large bordering uplift.

    North Guinean Upland. The relief is complex, due to the alternation of small shields and syneclises. The largest uplift is the Leono-Liberian massif located in the west. In the central part, the Togo-Atakora Mountains are a notable uplift. These mountains separate the plains corresponding to the syneclises - the regions of the lower reaches of the Niger and Volta.

    East Africa includes the Ethiopian Highlands, the Somali Plateau, and the East African Plateau.

    The Ethiopian Highlands is a highly elevated massif. Large areas on it are occupied by lava plateaus, in some places they are interrupted by mountain ranges, in some cases they bear young high volcanic cones, in some places they are heavily destroyed - Amba.

    East African plateau. In terms of relief, 2 marginal zones and one internal zone are distinguished. In the western zone is the Central African Rift Zone. The relief is characterized by alternation of depressions - grabens, often occupied by lakes, and the uplifts surrounding these basins (mainly block mountains - Mitumba, Rwenzori, Blue Mountains). The main part of the inner zone is occupied by high plateaus (Ozernoye, Unyamvezi, Serengeti). In the Eastern zone, there is a second fault line - the East African Rift. A chain of high volcanoes is strung on this graben - Kilimanjaro, Kenya, Maveru.

    South Africa includes the Cape Mountains, Madagascar, and the South African Plateau.

    South African plateau. Its structure resembles the structure of the Congo Basin and the uplifts that border it. The internal position is occupied by 2 depressions - Kalahari and Okavango. On all sides they are surrounded by uplifts: in the north - Lunda-Katanga, in the northwest - Biya, in the west - Damaraland, in the south - the Cape Mountains, in the southeast - the Drakensberg Mountains, in the northeast - the Matabele plateau. The marginal uplifts abruptly drop off to the coastal lowlands. This cliff is called the Great Ledge (Roger's Ledge). Its height is most significant in the Drakensberg Mountains.

    Climate

    The climatic conditions of the mainland are distinguished by a number of features:

    1. Constantly high temperatures practically throughout the continent.

    2. Large territorial differences in moisture, and the main part of the continent is occupied by constantly arid or seasonally arid areas.

    3. Zonal distribution of precipitation.

    4. Relatively small number of presented types of climate

    5. The frequency of occurrence of the main types of climate in the northern and southern parts of the continent.

    Climate factors

    1. Features of latitudinal position. The main part of the continent is located within the hot heat zone and lies in the equatorial, subequatorial and tropical latitudes.

    2. Symmetrical position relative to the equator - hence the recurrence of climate types.

    3. Baric situation and circulation of air masses. Three stable baric regions are formed over the mainland: the equatorial low pressure trough and 2 tropical-subtropical highs. Seasonally, the position of these baric systems changes - they move either to the north (in the summer of the northern hemisphere), then to the south (in the summer of the southern hemisphere). Therefore, at subequatorial latitudes, a change in the baric situation occurs. Several baric systems are formed over the oceans, which affect the climatic conditions of the continent. Among them is the Indian High. Its interaction with the equatorial trough forms a southeast trade wind, the influence of which is great on the eastern outskirts of South Africa. The South Atlantic maximum interacts with a low pressure area on the northern edge of the Gulf of Guinea and causes the southeast winds prevailing on the north Guinean coast. The same area gives a spur of high pressure on the Atlantic coast of southern Africa - the Namib Desert. Azores maximum - its influence is great in summer. It provides a high pressure spur covering almost the entire Mediterranean. When this spur interacts with the low-pressure equatorial trough, north-east trade winds arise.

    Major wind systems over Africa: with-in trade winds- in the tropics of the northern hemisphere dominate the whole year, and seasonally in the winter of the northern hemisphere they descend into the subequatorial belt; y-in the trade winds dominate on the eastern edge of the mainland only in the winter season, southwest winds on the North Guinean coast; equatorial monsoons in the summer in the subequatorial latitudes of North Africa (Sudan).

    4. Types of dominant air masses: tropical continental VMs seasonally descend to subequatorial latitudes. Equatorial VMs are the Congo Basin; in summer they rise to subequatorial latitudes. Marine tropical VMs dominate the eastern edge of the mainland. Moderate marine VMs dominate the northern and southern outskirts of the continent in winter.

    5. Relief. The flatness of the relief is one of the prerequisites for the zonal distribution of precipitation. In a number of areas, the relief is an important factor that increases the amount of precipitation (Debunja - the southern slopes of the Cameroon Highlands - up to 10,000 mm). The relief can be the reason for the aridity of some territories (the Somalia plateau - the southwestern equatorial monsoons are delayed by the Ethiopian Highlands).

    6. Configuration of the mainland. The presence of two massifs of different sizes: the northern very large and the southern - a much smaller area (the degree of continentality of the climate)

    7. Currents. The Mozambican Current saturates the southeast trade wind with moisture, the Benguela Current is one of the reasons for the existence of the Namib coastal desert. The Somali cold current contributes little to the dryness of the peninsula.


    Climatic zones and regions of Africa

    The mainland is located in 7 climatic zones, 6 of which are paired (present in both the northern and southern hemispheres).

    Equatorial belt

    Occupies about 8% of the mainland. It includes 2 territories: the Congo Basin and the northern coast of the Gulf of Guinea. Temperatures are constantly high. In the Congo Basin, a significant amount of convective precipitation (2000-2500 mm) falls, on the northern coast of the Gulf of Guinea there is a significant amount of circulation-orographic precipitation. The pressure is constantly lowered, the air humidity is very high.

    Subequatorial belts

    The northern subequatorial belt captures Sudan, the southern - the watershed of the Congo and Zambezi. Almost all of East Africa is also located in this belt. The climate is characterized by seasonal changes in atmospheric pressure, such as prevailing air masses, wind direction. In summer, the pressure is low, equatorial air masses dominate, in winter the pressure increases, tropical continental air dominates. Temperatures are constantly high, seasonal differences are subtle. The highest temperatures are reached before the onset of the rainy season.

    In terms of moisture content, the climate can be defined as seasonally dry (variably humid). There is a significant amount of summer precipitation, winter is practically absent. With distance from the equator, the duration of the wet period decreases and the total amount of precipitation decreases.

    Tropical belts

    In North Africa it captures the Sahara, in South Africa - the Mozambique coast, Kalahari, Namib.

    There are 3 types of climate: tropical dry desert climate

    humid tropical climate

    climate of tropical coastal deserts.

    The main territories are occupied by areas of tropical continental climate (Sahara, Kalahari). Constantly high temperatures with a slight decrease in the winter season (+ 30º and + 20º, respectively), extremely low amount of precipitation, significant dryness of the air, and frequent strong winds are characteristic.

    An area of ​​tropical humid climate is represented on the eastern outskirts of South Africa, where the southeastern trade winds from the Indian Ocean bring a significant amount of moisture (1000-1500 mm).

    An area of ​​tropical coastal desert climate overtakes the Namib Desert. Characterized by a slight decrease in summer temperatures, a leveled annual course of temperatures (the influence of a cold current), an extremely small amount of precipitation (50-80 mm). Rather high air humidity, fog and dew are frequent in winter.

    Subtropical belts

    Includes the northern and southern outskirts of the mainland. There are 2 climatic regions: the region of the Mediterranean climate and the region of the humid subtropical climate.

    The Mediterranean climate is typical for the entire northern outskirts and a very small area in the extreme southwest of the mainland. The climate is characterized by noticeable seasonal temperature fluctuations (hot and moderately hot summers + 22… 25º, warm winters + 8… 10º). In terms of moisture, the climate is seasonally arid: cyclonic precipitation falls in winter, and in summer, when the weather is anticyclonic, it is rather dry.

    The area of ​​subtropical humid climate covers a small area in the extreme south of the mainland. There is a significant amount of precipitation. Moreover, in summer and winter, they have different origins. In summer, eastern winds from the Indian Ocean bring moisture, and cyclonic precipitation falls in winter.

    On both sides of the equator largely determines the climate of this corner of the globe. It is located mainly in the tropics, because there is no cold weather characteristic of temperate latitudes. But at the same time, the climatic zones of Africa, which diverge from the equator to the north and south, cannot be compared with each other. The structure of the continent is such that in two hemispheres one and the same zone has its own characteristics. And in order to learn the local weather and its characteristics, the article presents the belts of Africa and their brief description.

    Geographic location of the continent

    Africa is the second largest continent in the world after Eurasia. It is washed by two oceans - the Atlantic and the Indian, a few seas and straits. The geological structure of these lands is such that their width is greater in and less in the south. This partly affects what climatic zones in Africa are formed in certain regions of it. It also largely affects the local relief, the presence of flora and fauna. For example, in the northern part, where all the lands are covered with impenetrable sands, as you yourself understand, there are a minimum of plants and animals. But to the south, where there are tropical rainforests or even savannahs, the animal and plant world is richer, it appears before us in all its African originality and uniqueness.

    Short description, table

    Climatic zones of Africa start from the equatorial.

    • At zero latitude, the wettest continent is located, where the maximum amount of precipitation falls - more than 2000 mm per year.
    • It is followed by the subequatorial strip, where the amount of precipitation and natural resources is decreasing. No more than 1500 mm of moisture falls here a year.
    • The tropical climate zone is the most extensive area of ​​the continent. Depending on the hemisphere, the amount of precipitation here can range from 300 to as little as 50 mm per year.
    • covers the edge of the coast in the north of the mainland and a corner located in South Africa, in the very south. Both there and there it is always windy and humid. In winter, temperatures drop by 7 degrees, compared with summer rates. The amount of precipitation is estimated at 500 mm per year.

    Equatorial latitudes

    Listing all the climatic zones of Africa, special attention should be paid to the equatorial zone, since on this continent it is considered the most unique, the wettest and most fertile in terms of agriculture. It is located, of course, along the zero latitude, and covers such states as Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Ghana, Guinea, Benin, Cameroon and others adjacent to the Gulf of Guinea. A feature of the equatorial climate is that closer to the east it becomes drier, but the maximum amount of precipitation falls on the western parts of the land.

    Subequatorial zone

    Africa is located in climatic zones characterized by hot temperatures, and a huge part of its territory is occupied by subtropics. It is a little drier here than at the equator, the jungle and evergreen forests turn into savannahs. A feature of this belt is that in summer equatorial winds blow here, which bring rains and often fogs to the region. In winter, tropical trade winds are observed, which are drier and very hot, as a result of which the amount of rain decreases and the air temperature rises. In the north of Africa, the subequatorial belt covers countries such as Mali, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, etc. In the southern part of the continent it is Tanzania, Kenya, Angola, Zambia, Mozambique.

    Tropics. Dry and windy

    As the table above has already shown us, the climatic zones of Africa can hardly be imagined without the tropics, which occupy most of the continent. Their widest strip stretches in the northern part of the mainland, covering the Sahara Desert and all neighboring countries. These are Egypt, the northern territories of Chad, Sudan, and Mali, as well as Mauritania, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, and many others. The amount of precipitation here is minimal - about 50 mm per year. The whole area is covered with sand, blown by dry trade winds. Sandstorms are not uncommon. Among the animals inhabiting the Sahara, insects and reptiles are more common, which get out of the dunes only at night. In the Southern Hemisphere, the tropics are also found in the Kalahari Desert region. The climate here is very similar to the northern one, but it is characterized by a large amount of precipitation and less abrupt daily temperature changes.

    Subtropical regions

    In conclusion, we will consider the extreme climatic zones of Africa - subtropical. They occupy the smallest part of the continent both in the north and in the south, therefore they have little effect on the overall weather picture. So, in the northern part of the mainland, this zone extends in a thin strip along the Mediterranean coast. It contains only the highest points of Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco, which are washed by the waves of this sea. The peculiarity of the local climate is that in winter winds blow here from the west, bringing moisture. Due to this, it is in the cold season that the maximum amount of precipitation falls here - about 500 mm. In summer, the winds change to tropical trade winds that bring heat, drought and even sand from the Sahara. It does not rain at all, the temperature rises to the maximum. In the Southern Hemisphere, weather conditions are similar. The only peculiarity is that it is a narrow promontory, which is washed on all sides by the ocean. Evaporated moisture makes the air humid throughout the year, and precipitation falls here not only in winter, but also in all other seasons.

    Madagascar and Cape Verde Islands

    Africa's climatic zones cover not only the continent itself, but also the islands that belong to it - continental and volcanic. To the east, beyond the waters of the Mozabique Strait, is Madagascar. It falls into two climatic zones at once - subequatorial and tropical. True, both are not as dry here as in Africa itself. It rains frequently, and the whole island is literally buried in evergreens and palms. lie in the Atlantic, west of the Gulf of Guinea. The climate here is subequatorial, humid, but at the same time very windy. Precipitation falls evenly throughout the year.

    Conclusion

    We have just briefly reviewed all the climatic zones of Africa. Grade 7 is the period when children get acquainted with the natural zones and the climate of our planet. It is important that the child during this period does not miss anything and can quickly figure out which zone we live in, which ones are to the south, and which ones, on the contrary, go to the north. This will broaden his horizons and allow him to better navigate geography.

    The widest part of Africa is located in the center of the hot belt of illumination. The whole continent is treated kindly by the sun all year round, it receives a huge amount of energy from our luminary. The climate of Africa is determined by geographic location, air circulation, the influence of the oceans, and the nature of the underlying surface. According to the combination of these main factors, climatic zones (main and transitional) are distinguished on the mainland: subtropical, tropical, subequatorial and equatorial. In this order, they are replaced in the northern hemisphere from north to south.

    General characteristics of the climate in Africa

    The equator crosses the continent roughly in the center. The northern - the larger part of the mainland - extends to the Mediterranean Sea in the north and the Arabian Peninsula of Eurasia in the northeast. South of the equator lies a narrow, triangle-shaped part of Africa. The area from the equator to the Northern Tropic receives about 200 kcal / cm2 per year. The average for the total solar radiation on the mainland is 160 kcal / cm2 per year.

    Africa's climate is varied, heat and moisture are unevenly distributed, especially in desert regions. The maximum amount of precipitation is received by the southwestern foot of the Cameroon volcano - up to 10,000 mm / year. Africa surpasses other continents in terms of temperature indicators, it is the hottest of them. The largest amount of solar heat falls on the land mass located between the North and South tropics.

    We will describe the climate of Africa according to the position of the continent's territories relative to the equator. This is the main climate-forming factor on which the heating of the earth's surface depends, and on it the air. An important role belongs to other conditions: the circulation of the atmosphere, the nature of the relief, the features of the underlying surface, the position relative to other continents, oceans. The main and transitional types of climate in Africa:

    • Equatorial.
    • Subequatorial (wet in the south, arid in the north).
    • Tropical desert.
    • Subtropical Mediterranean.

    Equatorial climate of Africa

    A hot and humid climate is formed in the center of the continent, near the parallel 0 °. The equatorial belt covers an area from 6 ° N. sh. up to 5 ° S sh. in the Congo basin in the east, on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, it reaches 8 ° N. sh. The conditions in this area are determined by equatorial air masses - hot and humid; it rains throughout the year. The air in January and July heats up to + 25 ° C on average, 2000-3000 mm of precipitation falls per year. The moisture coefficient reaches 1.5-2 (excessive).

    Evergreen forests

    The equatorial climate of Africa creates favorable conditions for warm and moisture-loving plants. The equatorial region of Africa is covered with dense evergreen forests - gilea. It is difficult for animals and people to be under the canopy of the forest, where it is gloomy and stuffy, the air is saturated with the smells of persistent litter and the scent of orchids.

    The difficult-to-pass sparsely populated natural zone has been intensively developed in recent years. Timber is cut for the sake of obtaining valuable timber for export. Mahogany, abashi (African maple) and other species are mined.

    Subequatorial climatic zone

    Occupies vast areas of the mainland from 20 ° S. sh. up to 17 ° N sh. More than 1/3 of Africa's territory is located in areas of subequatorial climate. In the eastern part, the transitional belt is not interrupted by the equatorial one, in the southern hemisphere it does not reach the Atlantic Ocean.

    Characteristics of the climate of Africa in the subequatorial region of the continent:

    1. Temperature conditions and humidification are determined by the alternating influence of tropical and equatorial air masses. As a result, the seasons are formed - wet and dry.
    2. In summer, hot and humid air of equatorial latitudes dominate, in winter dry tropical air mass comes in, it becomes a little cooler.
    3. The dry season lasts from 2 to 10 months. The average annual air temperature is over +20 ° С, precipitation will fall about 1000 mm / year (in the southern part of the belt).
    4. The duration of the wet period and the average annual precipitation decrease towards the outskirts of the subequatorial belt.
    5. In the northern regions, there is less rainfall, and the hot breath of the desert is felt. The hottest period of the year occurs at the beginning of the rainy season, when the average monthly temperature exceeds +30 ° C.
    6. The cool months of the humid period are characterized by a temperature of about +20 ° C and above.

    Savannah

    In addition to the geographical position and atmospheric circulation, the peculiarities of the climate in Africa are determined by the characteristic feature of the relief of the continent. The outskirts of the continent are uplifted; in comparison with the inland areas, they are located higher above sea level.

    Mountain ranges and massifs in the north, east and southeast limit the influence of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans on the climate of the savannah zone, which stretches within the subequatorial belt. The peculiarities of flora and fauna in this part of the continent are determined by the alternation of wet and dry seasons, lack of moisture for the formation of full-fledged forests, full-flowing channels.

    Tropical belt

    The peculiarities of the climate of Africa in the region of the Northern and Southern tropics are dominated by hot and dry air masses. Areas with an arid tropical climate, a significant daily temperature range, extend in the north and south of the mainland up to 30 parallels. A significant area of ​​the continent is influenced by an arid tropical climate. In this belt, the highest average monthly indicators are noted: + 35 ... 40 ° С.

    The North African massif receives a lot of solar radiation and very little moisture. Daytime air temperature rarely drops below 20 ° C. There is snow on the mountain peaks in the tropics, and desert and semi-desert areas lie at the foot. The most extensive lifeless areas: in the north - the Sahara, in the south - Namib.

    Deserts and semi-deserts

    In the Sahara, there are areas where temperature minimums and maximums were recorded (-3 and +58 ° С). Daytime temperature on hot sand and stones reaches + 60 ... 70 ° С, at night it can drop to + 10 ° С. Daily temperature fluctuations reach 50 ° C.

    Precipitation in the deserts of Africa falls from 0 to 100 mm / year, which is extremely small. Sometimes the rains do not reach the surface of the earth - they dry up in the air. Humidification is poor, Kuvl. = 0.1-0.3. The life of the desert population is concentrated in oases - the places where groundwater flows out. Developed agriculture, cattle breeding, tourist services.

    Subtropics of Africa

    The extreme south and a narrow strip of the northern coast are occupied by areas of a subtropical climate. This is a transitional belt, the features of which are determined by the properties of the air masses of temperate and tropical latitudes. The subtropical climate is characterized by dry and rainy seasons, a significant intake of moisture, which contributes to the development of agriculture. The maximum number of rains in the northwestern and southwestern regions of the African continent occurs in the winter months, in the southeast the rainy season is summer.

    The subtropics of Africa and other areas of the mainland attract numerous tourists. World famous resorts are located on the shores of the Mediterranean and Red Seas, the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. The main direction of tourism development and types of recreation in North Africa is beach and sightseeing. In the savannah - safari, jeeping. Less visited areas are impenetrable wet forests and uninhabited desert areas.

    What is the climate in Africa now and in the past? The answer to this question lies in the beds of dry rivers (wadis), the ruins of once prosperous cities, covered by the sands of the Sahara. There is an aridization of the climate in Africa, deserts are advancing in the north and south. In stark contrast to this phenomenon are floods, when rivers overflow their banks and flood coastal areas. Scientists suggest that catastrophic natural processes may be associated with intensive felling of tree plantations, the widespread construction of cities, roads, the development of agriculture and cattle breeding.