Equatorial climate. Equatorial belt

Equatorial belt located on both sides of the equator of our planet - from 5 ° -8 ° N. NS. up to 4 ° -11 ° S. NS.

Equatorial air masses reign here all year round. This is the only belt that is not continuous and whole. It is located between subequatorial belts... Due to the influence of equatorial air masses, high temperatures are stable here, there is no strong winds and the optimum moisture level is maintained.

Natural zones of the equatorial climate zone

A feature of the equatorial climatic zone is the absence of differences in seasons. All year round in the territories holds about the same temperature... In both winter and summer, average temperature here it is about +30 degrees. 2000-7000 mm of precipitation falls annually in the form of heavy rains.

Hot and constant climate is formed by assimilation solar radiation... The amount of this energy exceeds the permissible limits.

Equatorial climatic zone characterized by a variety of different types plants. Their growth is facilitated by constant moisture. In equatorial territories, tropical and constantly moist forests... Palms, iron, bread and chocolate trees grow in these forests.

From animals there are many insects, frogs, snakes and monkeys.

The Amazonian lowlands of South America, equatorial Africa, the Gulf of Guinea, the Great Sunda Islands - an equatorial climate reigns here.

Climate of humid equatorial forests of the countries of the world

Wet equatorial forests get their name from the territories in which they form. They grow in the Amazon, in the valleys of the Congo and Lualaba rivers. Constantly wet forests occupy vast territories in the Greater Sunda Islands.

Such forests are formed exclusively in the conditions of the equatorial climatic zone. Its climate is ideal for constant growth trees. In order to saturate the vegetation with the required amount of moisture, constant precipitation is required, more than 2000 mm per year. Also, these trees do not like cold, and this climate provides them with constant heat.

Wet equatorial forests are located mainly near the continental shores, where dominate warm currents... These forests are impenetrable jungles in which most of living beings all over the planet.

Permanently moist forests consist of several layers of vegetation. Trees reach 30-40 meters in height. And the eucalyptus trees growing in Australia reach 100 meters in height.

Wet forests are very difficult to study, so it is impossible to say exactly how many species of the animal world live there. Only a small part of this green world has been explored. And it is already known that 2/3 of all life on Earth lives here.

Plants of these territories are inherent large sheets... The sheets have special slots and holes to protect them from being damaged by rain drops.

The fauna of these forests is very diverse. Snakes, lizards, frogs, spiders, insects and midges are found here. As a rule, all animals are small in size. This allows them to safely navigate the world of the endless jungle.

The equatorial belt is a geographic region of our planet, which is located along the equatorial strip. It simultaneously covers the sections of the Northern and at the same time climatic conditions in both parts of the world are the same. The equatorial climate zone is considered the hottest on Earth, but at the same time there are high temperatures combined with the same high humidity. Well, let's take a closer look at all the features of this natural zone and figure out in which latitudes it is located

Coordinates and geographic features of the location

First, let's figure out the exact position relative to the numbers. The equatorial belt is located on both sides of the equator, from 5-8 ° N. NS. to 4-11 ° S sh., limited That is, it is surrounded by sub stripes equatorial zone, which in their climate and natural features very similar. The peculiarity of its position lies in the fact that it does not stretch along the entire equatorial strip. It is discontinuous and breaks up into a number of isolated areas confined to the continents (Africa and South America) and clusters of islands in the ocean (Malay Archipelago, Sri Lanka, etc.).

The belt covers the land area adjacent to zero latitude in the West of South America, as well as coastal territories The Pacific... The next spot is and central part West Africa... The widest and longest strip of the equatorial climate is located in Indian Ocean... It captures both the water area and the islands that are there.

Weather characteristics of the equatorial belt

The main feature of this natural zone is the predominance of equatorial ones here.They form over the region a zone of stable temperatures that do not change throughout the year. Thermometer readings in the shade range from 25 to 30 above zero, and this difference is an uncharacteristic feature of seasonal temperature changes. It all depends on solar activity and the amount of clouds that form over the region on a given day. It is also worth noting that the temperature in the equatorial zone largely depends on how far a particular geographic point is from the ocean. The deeper into the continent, the hotter it gets. The coastal areas are more filled with moisture, therefore precipitation occurs more often here, and the air does not heat up too much.

Precipitation and humidity

The equatorial belt is a dynamic minimum zone. The pressure here is extremely low, because the amount of precipitation that falls on the region is maximum. From 7 to 10 thousand millimeters of precipitation falls here annually. It should be noted that in equatorial latitudes also very high volatility, which slightly "corrects" this whole picture. Thanks to her, the region does not drown in the rains that happen here very often. The very same precipitation falls in the form of heavy showers with thunderstorms and lightning, and almost every day. After such bad weather, which lasts for several hours (mainly at noon), the sun comes out, moisture evaporates, the earth dries up, and the "typical summer" is restored.

Movement of the sun

What else is unique about the equatorial belt is its unique dynamics of the Sun. Many people believe that the length of the day here does not change for a second during the year, but in fact this is not the case. On average, the sun rises above equatorial land 12 hours a day. Moreover, its degree relative to the planet is equal to 90. These data are characteristic exclusively for a narrow strip, which is crossed by the equator itself. In the Northern Hemisphere, as in all other zones of the planet, in summer the day increases by 1-2 hours, and in winter it decreases by the same time. Summer here falls like ours - in June-August. IN Southern hemisphere on the contrary, in these months the day is reduced by 1-2 hours, and in December-February it increases.

Flora and fauna

Due to the fact that the equatorial climatic zone is a zone of great humidity, an incredibly exuberant flora has formed here from time immemorial, in which an equally diverse fauna lives. Here are those plants that can not be found anywhere else on the planet. These are evergreen thickets, impenetrable jungle. They are formed by ficuses, kausukonos, date and coffee bushes. There are also various fern pitchforks, a lot of lianas and black trees. Native animals are divided into two types: those that live in trees and the terrestrial class. The former include numerous monkeys, in most cases chimpanzees. There are also representatives of the feline family - leopards, cheetahs, jaguars. There are many sloths that live in trees. There are tapirs, rhinos, hippos.

Interaction with the tropics

Now let's briefly consider the natural zones that surround the equatorial climatic zone. The tropical belt, if we do not take into account the transitional subequatorial latitude, has both much in common and a lot of differences with the equator. First, this is the zone of dynamic maximum. There is a minimum of precipitation - no more than 500 mm. Also, there are slight fluctuations in temperature - up to 3 degrees during the change of seasons. The peculiarity of this zone is that the flora and fauna here is rich only along the sea coast. All areas that are located away from the ocean are dry and covered with impenetrable deserts.

Conclusion

The equatorial belt is the hottest and most unique part of our planet. It takes the utmost small part territory, but at the same time accommodates many rare species animals and plants. This is the wettest corner of the Earth, where every day it's raining and every day all traces of it are dried by the hot sun.

The climate formed under the year-round influence of eq. stripes reduced pressure... A distinctive feature of the equatorial climate is excessive humidification of the land due to abundant tropical rains (up to 3000 mm or more per year) against the background of high air temperatures: average annual temperature 24 ° -28 °. A noticeable division into seasons of the year in the course of temperature ( annual amplitude temperature is equal to preim. 2–3 °) and is not detected by moisture conditions. IN annual course both temperature and precipitation, there are two maxima associated with the zenith midday position of the Sun around the periods of spring and autumn equinox but there are no dry periods. Such conditions create an opportunity for the growth of humid equatorial forests and the cultivation of valuable tropical crops (sago and coconut palms, bananas, pineapples, cocoa, etc.). The equatorial climate is spread over the mean, spaces in Equatorial Africa, in the bass. Amazons in South America, in places in Central America, in Indonesia. Similar climates, but under the influence of different circulation processes, are also formed under special relief conditions within neighboring regions with an equatorial monsoon climate.

The main features of the equatorial climate

In this fertile zone, the heat is never depressing, as is often the case at the borders. tropical belt... High absolute humidity air is as good for human health as it is for the development of vegetation. The decrease in temperature observed at nightfall is so correct and at the same time insignificant that it is never a burden, and the nights are never so painfully hot as to interfere with sleep.

In the wettest season, however, it rarely falls even for several days in a row, so that the sun does not peep through at least for a few hours, and even in the driest months it rains from time to time, which cool and refresh the hot earth. Thanks to this climate regime there are never breaks in plant growth and the difference between the seasons is extremely small. All plants are evergreen, there is never a shortage of flowers and fruits, many annual cereals and fruit trees bring two harvests a year.

In other cases, on the contrary, it takes more than a year for large, massive fruits to ripen, and therefore it is not uncommon for the fruits on a tree to ripen at the same time as it is covered with flowers, preparing for the next harvest. This is the case, for example, in the Brazil nut, which grows in the forests along the Amazon, in many other tropical trees, but only in a few plants of the temperate zone.

The equatorial belt runs along the planet's equator, which has unique weather distinctive from other climatic zones. There are high temperatures all the time and it rains regularly. There are practically no seasonal differences. Summer is here all year round.

Air masses represent large volumes of air. They can extend over thousands or even millions of square kilometers. Despite understanding the air mass as the total volume of air, winds can move inside the system of different nature. This phenomenon can have various properties. For example, some masses are transparent, others are dusty; some are wet, others have different temperatures... When they come into contact with the surface, they acquire unique properties... During the transfer process, the masses can cool, heat, humidify or become drier.

Air masses, depending on the climate, can "dominate" the equatorial, tropical, temperate and polar belt... The equatorial belt is characterized by high temperatures, a lot of precipitation and upward air movements.

The amount of precipitation in these areas is huge. Thanks to warm climate indicators are rarely when they are in an area less than 3000 mm, on windy slopes, data on a fallout of 6000 mm and more are recorded.

Characteristics of the climatic zone

The equatorial belt is not recognized as the most the best place for life. This is due to the climate inherent in these areas. Not every person is able to withstand such conditions. The climatic zone is characterized by unstable winds, abundant precipitation, the presence of hot and humid climate, the prevalence of dense multi-tiered forests. In these areas, people are faced with abundant tropical rain, elevated temperature, reduced pressure.

Animal world very varied and rich.

Equatorial climate zone temperature

Average temperature regime- this is +24 - +28 degrees Celsius. The temperature can change by no more than 2-3 degrees. Most warm months- these are March and September. This zone receives maximum amount solar radiation. The air masses are humid here and the level reaches 95%. In this zone, precipitation falls about 3000 mm per year, and in some places even more. For example, on the slopes of some mountains it is up to 10,000 mm per year. The amount of moisture evaporation is less than rainfall. Showers occur north of the equator in summer and south in winter. The winds in this climatic zone unstable and poorly expressed. The equatorial belt of Africa and Indonesia is dominated by monsoons air currents... In South America, the eastern trade winds are predominantly circulating.

In the equatorial zone, humid forests grow, with a rich species diversity vegetation. The forest also has great amount animals, birds and insects. Despite the fact that there is no seasonal changes but seasonal rhythms are present. This is expressed by the fact that the periods of plant life in different species occur at a certain time. These conditions have contributed to the fact that there are two harvest periods in the equatorial zone.

River basins located in a given climatic zone are always full-flowing. A small percentage of water is consumed. Big influence the currents of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans have on the climate of the equatorial zone.

Where is the equatorial climate zone

The equatorial climate of South America is localized in the Amazon region with tributaries and wet forests, Andes Ecuador, Colombia. In Africa, equatorial climatic conditions are located in the Gulf of Guinea region, as well as in the area of ​​Lake Victoria and the upper Nile, the Congo basin. In Asia, part of the Indonesian islands lies in the equatorial climatic zone. Also, such climatic conditions are typical for the southern part of Ceylon and the Malacca Peninsula.

So, the equatorial belt is an eternal summer with regular rains, constant sun and warmth. Here favorable conditions for human habitation and agriculture, with the ability to harvest a rich harvest twice a year.

States located in the equatorial climate zone

The prominent representatives of the states located in the equatorial belt are Brazil, Guyana and Venezuela Peru. With regard to material Africa, countries such as Nigeria, Congo, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea and Kenya, Tanzania should be highlighted. The equatorial belt also contains the islands of Southeast Asia.

In this belt, terrestrial natural zones are distinguished, namely: the zone of humid equatorial forest, natural area savannas and woodlands, as well as a zone of the area altitudinal zonality... Each of them includes certain countries and continents. Despite being located in the same belt, the area has bright distinctive features, which is expressed in the form of soil, forests, plants and animals.

general characteristics equatorial climate

The various reasons listed above sufficiently explain to us the emergence of the main features of the equatorial climate: why, in the absence of the sun at night, such heat and why the change in the position of the sun on its way from the northern to the southern tropic has such little effect. In this fertile zone, the heat is never depressing, as is often the case at the borders of the tropical belt. High absolute air humidity is as good for human health as it is for the development of vegetation. The drop in temperature observed at nightfall is so correct and at the same time insignificant that it is never a burden, and the nights are never so painfully hot as to interfere with sleep.

In the wettest season, however, it rarely falls even for several days in a row, so that the sun does not peep through at least for a few hours, and even in the driest months it rains from time to time, which cool and refresh the hot earth. Thanks to this climate regime, there are never interruptions in plant growth and the difference between the seasons is extremely small, if any. All plants are evergreen and there is never a shortage of flowers and fruits, although at times they are especially abundant: many annual grains and fruit trees bring two harvests a year.

In other cases, on the contrary, it takes more than a year for large, massive fruits to ripen, and therefore it is not uncommon for the fruits on a tree to ripen at the same time as it is covered with flowers, preparing for the next harvest. This is the case, for example, in the Brazil nut, which grows in the forests along the Amazon, in many other tropical trees, but only in a few plants of the temperate zone.