Factors affecting climate - SS1 Geography Lesson Note

These geographical factors interact to shape the climate, ecology, and overall environment of a region, and they are fundamental to understanding the diversity of landscapes and weather patterns around the world.

 

Altitude:

Altitude, also known as elevation, refers to the height above sea level at a particular location.

As altitude increases, the air becomes thinner and temperatures generally decrease. This is why higher-altitude areas tend to be cooler.

 

Latitude:

Latitude is the measurement of how far north or south a location is from the equator, expressed in degrees.

Locations near the equator have a low latitude and experience a tropical climate with relatively consistent temperatures year-round. As you move closer to the poles, at higher latitudes, temperatures become more extreme, with distinct seasons.

 

Slope and Aspect:

Slope refers to the steepness of the land surface. It can impact factors like soil erosion, water drainage, and vegetation growth.

Aspect is the direction a slope faces (north, south, east, or west). It affects how much sunlight a particular area receives, influencing local climate and vegetation.

 

Continentality:

Continentality describes the effect of a location's distance from the ocean on its climate.

Areas near large bodies of water, like oceans, tend to have milder and more stable climates because water heats and cools more slowly than land. In contrast, continental areas, far from oceans, experience more extreme temperature variations.