South america climate map. Question: What are ore minerals? Climatic zones, regions in South America

South America is a continent located mostly in southern hemisphere. Five climatic zones are represented on its territory. Let's look at them from south to north. The island of Tierra del Fuego, almost all of Argentina and Chile, as well as part of Uruguay and Paraguay with Bolivia are located in temperate zone. Peru, southern Brazil and northern Paraguay in Sat tropical zone . Central Brazil, northern Peru, Ecuador are located in Tropical belt. North central Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, Guyana, northern Venezuela and Colombia in subequatorial belt. And the site near the Amazon River in northern Brazil, southern Colombia and Venezuela - in equatorial.

South America is located in such a way that almost all climatic zones are present on its territory.

South America is also considered the wettest continent on the planet.

The northern part of the mainland is located in the equatorial zone.

Sat equatorial climate The ical belt encircles the mainland twice passing above and below the equatorial belt.

In the middle part of the mainland there is a tropical climate.

Tropical climate becomes subtropical.

And the northernmost part of South America is in a temperate climate.

South America is one of the hottest continents in the world. Here you will not find the arctic or subarctic belt, but all the other belts are available. The extreme south of the continent, Patagonia, that is, partly Chile and Argentina, lies in temperate zone. Further north, again Chile, Argentina and Uruguay, are located in a subtropical warm climate with moderate rainfall. The tropics stretch from the Peruvian coast to the Chilean deserts of Atacama and Nazca, to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Almost the entire Amazon, impenetrable equatorial forests, the lungs of the planet lie in the equatorial belt, and around them from the north, east and south is the subequatorial belt, the largest belt of the mainland.

South America - mainland Western hemisphere. The main (most) part of the mainland is located south of the equator.

It is washed by the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. It is the wettest continent on the planet.

Climatic zones of South America:

• subequatorial (occupies a significant part of the territory of the mainland);
• equatorial (occupies mainly the Amazonian lowland);
• tropical (located south of the subequatorial);
• subtropical (south of tropical);
• moderate (occupies the south of the mainland).

• There are 5 (FIVE) climatic zones that are typical for South America, while weather here do not quite correspond to the conditions in similar belts.

  • Equatorial, this is the northern part of the country.
  • And the subequatorial one occupies the territory both above and below the equatorial zone, as if encircling it.
  • The middle part of the mainland - the climate changes to tropical.
  • Even lower and closer to the south, the climate is already subtropical.
  • The northernmost tip of the mainland is already in the temperate zone.

• The equatorial zone is hot and humid.

  Tropical belt - the climate, depending on the seasons, is humid or desert (continental), especially on the western coast of the Brazilian plateau, there is practically no rain.

  subequatorial Belt - Climate hot, but humid summers, hot and dry winters, quite a lot of precipitation falls on the eastern slopes of the plateaus.

  The south of South America is located in the temperate zone, the climate is temperate maritime, cyclones move to the mainland from the west, there are sub-zero temperatures throughout the year.

  The subtropical zone - the climate in the east is warm and humid, and in the central regions it is dry continental, on the Pacific coast there is a Mediterranean climate.

  

  Because of large area mainland and its special geographical location, South America is five climatic zones:

  • A large part of the mainland is subequatorial climatic zone.
  • Also at the level of the subequatorial climatic zone is the equatorial climatic zone.
  • Below (south) is the tropical climate zone.
  • Even lower is the subtropical climate zone.
  • And in the very south of the mainland there is a temperate climatic zone.

• Considering the area and geographical position South America, there are plenty of climatic zones from North to South! Almost all the belts that are found on Earth! These are equatorial, subequatorial, tropical, subtropical, temperate and even subantarctic! Big this... South America! For clarity, I'll post a couple of pictures:

  

  

  South America is located in five climatic zones: subequatorial, equatorial, tropical, subtropical and temperate.

South America is crossed by the equatorial, two subequatorial, tropical, subtropical and temperate climatic zones (Fig. 113).

AT equatorial belt the western part of the Amazonian lowland and the northwestern coast are located Pacific Ocean. The climate here is constantly hot and humid.

AT subequatorial belt the Orinoc Lowland and the Guiana Plateau, the eastern and southern parts of the Amazonian Lowland, the northern and central parts of the Brazilian Plateau are located. This zone has hot, humid summers and dry, sometimes very hot winters. Especially a lot of precipitation is observed on the eastern slopes of the plateaus.

tropical belt covers the southeastern part of the Brazilian plateau, the northern part of the La Plata lowland. Here, depending on the seasons, the contrasts in temperatures increase, as well as in the amount of precipitation in coastal and inland areas. In the east of the Brazilian Plateau, the climate tropical wet, and in the hinterland and on the western coast of the mainland - tropical continental (desert). Such, in particular, as in the Atacama Desert, where there is no rain for several years in a row.

AT subtropical zone there are also differences in climate. In the east it is warm and evenly wet throughout the year, and in the interior - dry continental. formed on the Pacific coast Mediterranean climate type.

Unlike Africa and Australia, the southern part of South America is located in temperate zone. The climate here is formed under the influence of the western transfer air masses and clearly defined expressed times of the year. Climate in the west temperate maritime. Cyclones moving to the mainland from the west bring a lot of precipitation here. Their number annually is about 3000 mm. The temperature during the year is never negative.

In the east of the temperate zone is formed dry continental type of climate, which is characterized by sharp fluctuations in temperature. In winter, there are even frosts down to -3 ° C. Precipitation is much less: 250-300 mm.

In the Andes, climatic conditions change not only from north to south, but also with height. Here is formed alpine climate type. material from the site

Wind from the pampas. This is the name of pampero - a piercing cold south-west wind, formed during the invasion of cold Antarctic air from the south. This wind moves from the Andes through the pampas of Argentina and on to the Atlantic coast. Pampero is accompanied by rain and thunderstorms, the cooling rate reaches 30 ° C per day, Atmosphere pressure increases rapidly, and the clouds dissipate. A strong pampero breaks even the anchors of ships.

• Climate of South America quite diverse and varies from equatorial to moderate.
• In the Andes, the climate changes with altitude.

On this page, material on the topics:

• Climatic zones, regions in South America

• The position of South America in climatic zones and regions of climate

• subtropical belt continental region south america

• Description temperate belt in south america

• South America climate zones

Questions about this item:

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South America is located on both sides of the equator, but most of it lies in the southern hemisphere. The widest part of the mainland lies between the tropics. Within the subtropical and temperate latitudes of the southern hemisphere is its narrowed and dissected margin.

The influence of air masses coming from the Atlantic, spreads far into the interior of the continent along the plains wide open towards the ocean to the very foot of the Andes.

The western coast of South America is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean, which have a significant negative temperature anomaly off the coast of the mainland, which is caused by the cold Peruvian current. Pacific air masses, due to the existence of the Andes barrier, affect climate only a narrow strip of land adjacent to the ocean.

Climatic conditions of South America are determined mainly by the influence of equatorial air masses that form over the mainland. These air masses are distinguished by high moisture content and small temperature amplitudes throughout the year. They move from one hemisphere to another by the equatorial monsoons of the northern and southern hemispheres and cause precipitation.

Tropical air of marine origin has a great influence on the climate. It is formed in tropical anticyclones over the oceans and enters the mainland with trade winds. By its properties, it is close to equatorial air masses.

Continental tropical air is formed over the mainland in tropical latitudes through the transformation of sea air. It is characterized by comparative dryness and significantly greater annual temperature ranges than equatorial and maritime tropical air.

The influence of air masses of temperate latitudes affects only the extreme south of the mainland.

In January, the northern part of South America falls under the influence of tropical air masses of the dynamic maximum of the northern hemisphere. These air masses rush in the form of a northeast trade wind towards the area of ​​low pressure on the mainland, located at this time to the south of the equator. In this regard, there is a drought on the northern outskirts of South America. Only in the northeast of the mainland on the slopes of the Guiana Highlands and on the coastal lowland is the trade wind, coming directly from Atlantic Ocean leaves some precipitation.

Above the equatorial part of the Amazonian lowland, tropical air is humidified and, rising upwards, gives abundant convective precipitation. Penetrating into the area of ​​low pressure south of the equator, the northeast trade wind changes its direction to the north and northwest and turns into the equatorial monsoon of the southern hemisphere. In a vast area south of the equator, it leaves abundant rainfall, irrigating much of the Brazilian Highlands and the Gran Chaco plain.

From the side of the South Atlantic anticyclone towards the heated mainland, monsoonal winds blow, bringing rain to the southeastern outskirts of the Brazilian Highlands and the La Plata Lowland.

Most of the western coast, ranging from subtropical latitudes and almost before The equator is under the influence of the eastern periphery of the Pacific anticyclone and does not receive precipitation. Only a segment of the coast north of the Gulf of Guayaquil is under the influence of equatorial air masses and is irrigated plentiful rains.

Humid oceanic air is brought to the extreme south of the mainland from the west. At the same time, the coast of the Pacific Ocean and especially the western slopes of the Andes receive abundant precipitation, and Patagonia, which is under the cover of the Andes, turns out to be the center of the formation of relatively dry continental air masses of temperate latitudes.

In July, the entire continent comes under the influence of moist equatorial air brought by the southwest equatorial monsoon, and no less humid marine tropical air coming from the Atlantic Ocean.

Set over the Brazilian Highlands high pressure(and as a result - dry weather), due to the northward movement of the tropical maximum of the southern hemisphere. Only south- eastern the outskirts of the highlands are affected by the southeast trade wind coming directly from the Atlantic Ocean and receive a significant amount of precipitation, although much less than in summer.

In subtropical and temperate latitudes southern the hemisphere is dominated by low pressure and cyclonic rains fall. Only Patagonia is still the center of formation of relatively dry and cold air, which at times breaks through to the north and penetrates as far as the Amazonian lowland, causing significant temperature drops there and even snowfall.

Over the central part of the Pacific coast, in July, as in January, from 30 ° S. sh. to the equator, southern and south- westerly winds blowing parallel to the coast over the waters of the cold Peruvian current. This leads to great dryness on the Pacific coast at these latitudes. Only on its northern segment, where the southeast trade wind turns into the southwest monsoon, a significant amount of precipitation falls.

Like Africa, South America is located mostly within the equatorial, subequatorial and tropical climatic zones. Only in the extreme south does it enter the subtropical and temperate zones. But mutual arrangement and the width of these is the same as and the ratio of climatic regions within them other than in Africa. This is determined primarily by the features of the orography of South America, which differ sharply from the features of the orography of the African continent.

In the equatorial part of South America, it reaches a large width; the relief does not prevent the development of zonal climatic conditions there. The equatorial climate belt in South America includes almost the entire Amazonian lowland, except for the eastern part and the extreme south, and the adjacent parts of the Guiana Highlands and the Orinoco Lowland. The equatorial belt also includes a segment of the Pacific coast north of the equator.

The entire belt is characterized by heavy rainfall throughout the year. Their annual amounts range from 1500 to 2500 mm, and only on the slopes of the Andes, on the Pacific coast, the amount of precipitation increases to 5000-7000 mm per year. Precipitation in this area throughout the year is brought by southern and southwestern winds and their large amounts are due to orographic reasons. In the Amazonian lowland, most of the precipitation falls due to convective processes in the equatorial air masses. Temperatures in the region are high and vary little with the seasons. The average temperatures of all months fluctuate between 25-27°.

The entire northern part of South America, including the Orinoco Lowland, the Caribbean coast, a significant part of the Guiana Highlands and the Guiana Lowland, lies in the subequatorial climate zone. The subequatorial belt of the southern hemisphere includes the north of the Brazilian Highlands and the southern part of the Amazonian lowland. In the east, the subequatorial belts of the northern and southern hemispheres are interconnected. This belt also includes part of the Pacific coast from the equator to 4-5 ° S. sh.

Distinctive feature subequatorial climate - seasonality in the distribution of precipitation - is expressed quite clearly throughout this territory. In the southern hemisphere, in the Brazilian Highlands, in the south of the Amazonian lowland and in the lower reaches of the Amazon, the rainy season associated with the action of the equatorial monsoon lasts approximately from December to May, and is he lengthens from south to north, gradually turning into a year-round wet period. In the north, the rainy season lasts from May to December. In winter, during the action of the trade winds, precipitation does not fall. Only in those areas where the trade winds, coming from the ocean, meet mountains on their way, does it rain in winter time. This is the case in the northern stretch of the coastal Brazilian Highlands and in the northeast of Guiana. The annual amount of precipitation within the entire subequatorial zone is 1500-2000 mm. Only the northeast of the Brazilian Highlands receives less than 1000 mm of precipitation, as the wet air currents intercepted by the uplifted outskirts of the highlands and penetrate into this area transformed. The highest temperatures occur, as in Africa, during the transitional period between the end of the dry and the beginning of the wet season, when the average monthly temperatures rise to 29-30 °. At the same time, in no month the average temperatures do not fall below 20 °.

Within the tropical climate zone, South America is included only in the southern hemisphere. The east and southeast of the Brazilian Highlands are located in a humid climate (windward coast), where rainfall throughout the year is brought by tropical air currents from the Atlantic.

Climbing the slopes of the mountains, this air leaves on the windward side a large number of precipitation. In terms of precipitation, this climate is close to the climate of the Amazonian lowland, but is characterized by more significant temperature differences between the hottest and coolest months.

Inside the mainland in the tropical zone (Gran Chaco Plain), the climate is arid, with a summer maximum of precipitation and a pronounced dry winter period.

This climate, in terms of precipitation, is close to subequatorial, but differs from it in sharp temperature fluctuations, especially in winter, and lower annual precipitation.

Coast of the Pacific Ocean between 5 and 30 ° S. sh. lies in the climate of coastal deserts and semi-deserts. This climate is most pronounced in the Atacame Desert. The region is under the influence of the eastern periphery of the Pacific anticyclone and temperature inversions created by a constant influx of relatively cold air from high latitudes. With a relative humidity of up to 80%, precipitation is extremely low - in some areas only a few millimeters per year. Some compensation for the almost complete absence rains are abundant dews that fall on the coast in winter. The temperatures of even the hottest months are moderate (they rarely exceed 20°C) and the seasonal amplitudes are small.

South of 30°S sh. South America is part of the subtropical climate zone. It highlights a number of areas.

southeast of the mainland southern the outskirts of the Brazilian Highlands, the territory of Uruguay, the interfluve of the Parana and Uruguay, East End Pampa) lies in an area of ​​uniformly humid subtropical climate. In summer, moisture is brought into the region by northeast monsoon winds. In winter, precipitation falls due to cyclonic activity along the polar front. Summers in the region are very hot, winters are mild, with average monthly temperatures around +S°, but there are temperature drops well below 0° due to intrusions of relatively cold air masses from the south.

The inland regions of the subtropical belt (western Pampa) are characterized by an arid subtropical climate. Little moisture from the Atlantic Ocean gets there, and precipitation (not more than 500 mm per year) that falls in summer is mainly of convective origin. There are sharp temperature fluctuations in the region and frequent drops below 0°C in winter, with average monthly temperatures below +10°C.

On the Pacific coast (from 30 to 37 ° S. latitude), the climate is subtropical with dry summers. Under the influence of the eastern periphery of the Pacific anticyclone, summer there is almost rainless and not hot (especially on the coast itself). Winter is mild and rainy. Seasonal temperature amplitudes are insignificant.

Within the temperate zone (south of 40°S) South America enters at its narrowest point. There are two climatic regions.

The southeast of South America (Patagonia) lies in a region of climate transitional from oceanic to continental, but very arid. In this area there is a center of formation of continental air of temperate latitudes. Precipitation in these latitudes is brought by western winds, the path to which is blocked by the Andes to Patagonia, and therefore their amount does not exceed 250-300 mm. In winter there are extreme cold due with cold air from the south. Frosts reach 30, 35 °, however, the average monthly temperatures are positive.

In the extreme southwest of the mainland and on the coastal islands, the climate is moderately warm, oceanic. All this area is under the influence of intense cyclonic activity and the influx of oceanic air from temperate latitudes. On the western slopes of the Andes, especially a lot of precipitation falls in winter. It rains in summer smaller, but overcast cloudy weather prevails. The annual precipitation exceeds 2000 mm everywhere. The differences in temperatures between the summer and winter months are small.

The interior plateaus of the Andes, located on both sides of the equator, are characterized by a mountainous equatorial climate, with annual temperature variations moderated by altitude. At the same time, the diurnal amplitudes are quite significant, as in general in conditions mountain climate. , but their number is much less than on the plains in the same latitudes.

The central Andean plateaus are characterized by the climate of high-altitude tropical deserts and semi-deserts (dry and sharply continental). The amount of precipitation there is negligible, and the temperature differences between seasons and especially during the day are very sharp.

The climate of South America, unlike Africa and Australia, is more humid.

The formation of climate is influenced by the main factors: geographical location, configuration of the territory, relief, ocean currents, atmospheric circulation. (Study the ocean currents off the coast of the mainland on the map and draw a conclusion about their impact on climate.)

Geographical position between 12° N. sh. and 56°S sh. defines high level solar radiation almost throughout the mainland, with the exception of the extreme south. The mainland is warming up. The air pressure over it is always lower than over the surrounding oceans, from which the trade winds and westerly winds of temperate latitudes bring a lot of moisture. Warm Guiana and Brazilian currents off the coast increase the humidity of the air entering the mainland. South America is the wettest continent. The Andes serve as an important climatic barrier that isolates western territories from the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, and the eastern - from the Pacific. The western coast of the mainland (10°-30° S) receives incomparably less rainfall. The extreme south of the mainland is affected by the westerly winds of temperate latitudes.

Climatic zones of South America

South America is located within six climatic zones: equatorial, two subequatorial, tropical, subtropical and temperate.

The equatorial belt covers the entire Amazonian lowland and the adjacent slopes of the Andes. Uniform high air temperature (+26 ... +28 °С) and abundant precipitation throughout the year (1500-2500 mm) are typical. On the slopes of the Andes and on the Pacific coast, the amount of precipitation increases to 5000 mm per year.

Subequatorial belts

The belt of the Northern Hemisphere occupies the entire northern part of the mainland, including the Orinok lowland, the Caribbean coast, and the Guiana Plateau. The belt of the Southern Hemisphere occupies southern part Amazonian lowland, northern Brazilian plateau, part of the Pacific coast. A distinctive feature of the belts is a clearly pronounced seasonality in the distribution of precipitation. In summer, moist equatorial air brings showers. In the Southern Hemisphere, the rainy season associated with the action of the equatorial monsoon lasts approximately from December to May. In winter, dry tropical air prevails, and precipitation may be completely absent for several months. The total amount of precipitation reaches 1000-2000 mm per year. Air temperatures are high throughout the year +20 ... +30 °С.

The tropical zone consists of three climatic regions: humid, continental and desert. (Find their position and amount of precipitation on the map.)

In the humid type of climate (east of the Brazilian Plateau), the trade winds blowing to the mainland from the Atlantic Ocean and bringing heavy rainfall have a great influence. Rain falls on the coast and on the slopes of the Brazilian Plateau. The climate allows the cultivation of maize, melons, pumpkins, tobacco and other agricultural crops.

As we move westward, the climate becomes more continental. In the tropical continental climate on the Gran Chaco plain, temperatures are +12 ... +15 °С in winter, +28 ... +30 °С in summer. It was here that the absolute maximum temperature on the mainland was recorded - +47 ° С. The amount of precipitation decreases from east to west from 1000 to 500 mm.

The climate of coastal deserts (garua) is typical for the western coast between 5 ° and 28 ° S. sh. Less than 50 mm of precipitation falls here. More moisture comes from dew (up to 200 mm). The temperature in summer is +20 °С, in winter +15 °С. This climate is most pronounced in the Atacama Desert.

In the Atacama, water can only be found in the roots and trunks of trees, the stems of cacti. Often dew is the only source of moisture. The Peruvian cold current cools the lower atmosphere and prevents precipitation.

The subtropical belt is formed south of 30°S. sh. The southeast of the mainland (the southern outskirts of the Brazilian Plateau, the interfluve of the Parana and Uruguay, the eastern part of the Pampas) lies in a subtropical humid climate. In summer, northeast trade winds bring moisture. In winter, precipitation falls due to cyclones along the polar front. Summers are hot here (+24 °С), and winters are mild (0 °С). For areas inside the mainland (Western Pampa), a subtropical continental climate is typical (no more than 500 mm per year). There are sharp fluctuations in temperature.

On the Pacific coast from 28 to 36 ° S. sh. the subtropical Mediterranean climate dominates with dry, but not very hot summers (up to +20 °С) and humid warm (about +10 °С) winters. The climate is favorable for life and economic activity of people.

In the temperate zone is the most narrow part south of the mainland. On the west coast, westerly winds constantly blow, conditionally called the winds of the "roaring forties" latitudes for their great strength. On the western slopes of the Andes, they bring a large amount of precipitation - more than 2500 mm per year. It is no coincidence that the southern part of Chile is called the "wet corner" of South America. A temperate maritime climate is formed with humid cool summers (+15 °С) and relatively warm winter(+5 °С).

On the eastern coast, the climate is temperate continental with dry, warm summers (+20°C) and cool winters with little snow (0°C). Precipitation falls only 300-400 mm per year.

In the Andes, altitudinal climatic zonality. When climbing the mountains with height, there is a change in climatic conditions: from the characteristic belt at the foot of the mountains to the polar one. The change of climatic zones occurs not only when climbing the mountains, but also with geographical latitude when moving south (from the equatorial belt to the temperate one).

The main part of South America receives a huge amount solar heat. The mainland receives a lot of precipitation, but not regularly. Thanks to this climate, all heat-loving crops ripen almost everywhere on the continent. In the equatorial, subequatorial and tropical humid climate, perennial plants are grown, mainly trees and shrubs. Collect, as a rule, several harvests per year of cocoa, coffee, tea. One common crop is sugar cane. In South America field work conducted throughout the year almost everywhere. The exceptions are areas where the dry season is pronounced. In the Andes, conditions for the cultivation of cultivated plants are not everywhere favorable.

Most of South America has a warm and humid climate. There are no vast arid territories here, as in Africa and Australia. The Andes Mountains serve as a climatic barrier dividing the mainland into western and eastern parts, which differ climatic conditions. In general, the climate of South America, which is characterized by an abundance of heat and moisture, creates favorable conditions for farming.