The influence of the oceans on the climate of the Eurasian continent. Climatic zones of Eurasia - description, features and interesting facts. What affects the climate of the mainland

The climatic features of Eurasia are determined by the huge size of the mainland, the great length from north to south, the variety of prevailing air masses, as well as the specific features of the structure of its surface and the influence of the oceans.

Due to the large extent of the mainland from north to south, due to different amounts in specific latitudes, Eurasia is located in all climatic zones of the northern hemisphere, from the arctic to the equatorial. The largest area in terms of area is occupied by the temperate zone, since it is in temperate latitudes that the mainland is most extended from west to east.

On, like other continents, relief has a great influence. The Alps, Himalayas and other mountains of the Alpine-Himalayan fold belt are an important climatic division of the mainland. They block the path of the cold and dry north to the south and at the same time stand as an insurmountable barrier to the warm and humid winds blowing from the south. So, in the basins, to the north of, 50-100 mm of precipitation falls per year, and at the foot of the eastern Himalayas - more than 10,000 mm per year. Winters in the countries of the European Mediterranean, beyond the barrier, are warm and relatively cold.

The influence of the oceans on the climate of Eurasia through the influence (, Kuril-Kamchatka, monsoon currents) and the sea air masses forming above them is well known and does not cause difficulties when considered in the exam.

Let us briefly dwell on the features and types of climate (climatic regions) on the territory of Eurasia.

In the subarctic and subarctic belts, areas are distinguished with a sea zone in the west of each zone: small temperature amplitudes due to relatively warm winters and cool summers (the influence of the branches of the North Atlantic Current). In the east of the belts, the climate is continental with very cold winters (up to -40 ... -45 ° С).

Within the temperate zone, stretching across the entire continent, there is a wide variety of climate types. The marine type of climate in the western regions of Europe is formed under the year-round influence of sea air masses from. Summers are cool here, winters are relatively warm even in northern latitudes on the coast. When passing through the Atlantic, it changes rapidly: in summer there may be cold snaps, in winter - thaws. The area of ​​transitional climate from maritime to continental is mainly occupied by the territories of Central Europe. With distance from the ocean, the difference (amplitude) of summer and winter temperatures increases: winter becomes noticeably colder. There is more precipitation in summer than in the cold season. In the territory (up to the Urals), the climate is considered temperate continental. Beyond, and Central Asia, winters are very cold and dry, summers are hot and relatively humid. This is an area of ​​sharply continental climate in the temperate zone. On the coast, the climate is monsoonal with warm, humid summers and cold winters.

In the subtropical zone on the plains, the air is positive all year round. The northern boundary of the belt is drawn along the January isotherm at 0°C. On the territory of Eurasia, three climatic regions are separated in this belt. - in the west of the belt. Dry tropical air masses dominate here in summer (it is cloudless and hot in summer), and in winter - sea air of temperate latitudes (it rains in winter). The region of the continental climate occupies the territory of the Near Asian Highlands (the Malay Peninsula, the Armenian and the north of the Iranian Highlands). Winters in this area are relatively cold (snowfalls and temperatures below 0°C are possible), summers are hot and very dry. The annual amount of precipitation is small, and they fall in the winter-spring period. The area of ​​monsoon subtropical climate is in the east and occupies the southern half of the islands. Here, a characteristic is the summer maximum in their annual distribution.

The tropical belt does not form a continuous strip and is represented only in the southwest of Asia (the peninsula, the south of Mesopotamia and the Iranian Highlands, the northwestern regions of the Hindustan peninsula). Continental tropical air masses dominate here throughout the year. The amount of precipitation in the plains does not exceed 200 mm, and in belt regions - below 50 mm per year. Summer is very hot - the average temperature in July is from +30 to +35°C. In (Arabia) temperatures up to +55°C were observed. Average January temperatures are from +12° to +16°С.

The belt includes the Hindustan and Indochina peninsulas, the Indo-Gangetic plain, an island (without the southwestern part), Southeast China,. This belt is characterized by a seasonal change of air masses: in summer, humid equatorial air, brought by the monsoon, dominates; in winter - a relatively dry tropical trade wind of the northern hemisphere. The hottest time of the year is spring, when daytime temperatures can exceed +40°C.

It is located on the Malay Archipelago (excluding East Java and Small), the peninsula, the southwest of Sri Lanka and the south. Throughout the year, maritime equatorial air masses dominate here. They are formed from tropical air coming from the trade winds of both hemispheres. This climate is characterized by abundant rainfall (2000-4000 mm per year) and constantly high temperatures (above +25°C).

The diversity of climatic conditions in the expanses of Eurasia is explained by the huge size of the continent and its great length in all directions. In addition, the formation of the climate of the region was influenced by the massiveness of the central and eastern parts, and the strong dissection of the coastline in the west and south, and the pronounced influence of the oceans.

Total solar radiation

Within Eurasia, the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth varies per year in the range from $60 \ kcal/cm^2$ (or $2520 \ MJ/m^2$) on the Arctic islands to $200-220 \ kcal/cm^2$ ( or $8400-9240 \ MJ/m^2$) in the Arabian Peninsula. In Western Europe, the amount of solar radiation is up to $140 \ kcal/cm^2$ ($5880 \ MJ/^2$) in Southeast Asia - up to $180 \ kcal/cm^2$ ($7570 \ 5880 \ MJ/m^2 $). The radiation balance in Eurasia is estimated at $10$ to $80\kcal/cm^2$ ($420-3360\MJ/m^2$). A part of the territory of Eurasia in winter is characterized by a negative radiation balance.

Atmospheric circulation

On the territory of most of Eurasia, western transport and cyclonic activity associated with it prevail. This causes a strong influence of the Atlantic Ocean on the climate of the mainland. Due to the absence of significant orographic obstacles up to the Urals on the path of the main transfer of air masses, they are slowly transformed and a gradual change in climate is observed. Further beyond the Urals, continental air masses dominate throughout the year. On the east, south and southeast coast of the mainland, monsoonal air circulation is observed.

Precipitation

Approximately $40 \ thousand km ^ 3 $ of precipitation falls on the surface of Eurasia during the year. The distribution of precipitation in Eurasia is largely determined by the characteristics of the atmospheric circulation.

Within the mainland, 2 areas of low rainfall are distinguished:

• in the north of the mainland (Kola Peninsula, Yakutia), where the amount of precipitation is $100-400$ mm/year and decreases from west to east;
• territories outside the sphere of influence of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans, covering almost half of the mainland. These are the interior of the Arabian Peninsula, the Iranian Plateau, the eastern part of the East European Plain, the West of Siberia and Central Siberia, Central Asia, the Tibetan Plateau, and the north of the Far East.

Atmospheric circulation also determines the amount of precipitation and the mode of precipitation.

seasonality

Climatic conditions of the regions of Eurasia in winter

In winter, there is a high contrast in the heating of the continent and oceans, and, accordingly, the distribution of atmospheric pressure. In January, the following baric regions are observed on the mainland:

• The Icelandic Low is a closed area of ​​low pressure in the North Atlantic Ocean (above Iceland).
• The Azores High is an area of ​​high pressure over the Atlantic ($30^\circ \ n.l.$), which is part of the area of ​​the subtropical high pressure zone.

The interaction of these centers largely shapes the climate Europe. The air that flows along the northern and eastern periphery of the Azores High and forms relatively warm cyclonic winds of southwestern and western directions in temperate latitudes. In the polar latitudes, easterly winds blow predominantly at this time. Thus, cyclonic depressions pass through Iceland, Scandinavia and the Barents Sea in winter. At this time, over the Mediterranean Sea (especially the Gulf of Lion and the Ligurian Sea, the island of Cyprus and the south of the Tyrrhenian Sea) there is a local process of formation of cyclones. Cyclones formed over the Mediterranean Sea move east and northeast inland, sometimes reaching the Indus.

As we move east, the moist sea air dries up and cools. AT Central Asia these flows fall in the surface layers into the area of ​​high pressure, which is formed due to the cooling of the territory and high mountain systems along the perimeter of the area. This is how the largest area of ​​high pressure on the planet is formed - the quasi-stationary Asian maximum. The action of this area can bring cooling even in Western Europe.

Due to the anticyclonic state of the atmosphere and severe hypothermia in the interior of Asia, up to tropical latitudes, there is practically no precipitation in winter and low air temperatures (up to $-30^\circ C$) are observed

AT South Asia trade winds dominate in winter. The western margins of South Asia may be affected by the North Atlantic High. Over Indochina, Hindustan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and the Sunda Islands, the weather forms the northeast trade wind. It brings air masses from the North Pacific High. In winter, dry weather is also observed here, precipitation is typical for areas where sufficient moisture is brought with trade winds or westerly winds. This is the southeastern outskirts of Hindustan, part of the Philippine Islands. Winter temperatures here are moderate - up to $+20^\circ С$.

Climatic conditions of the regions of Eurasia in the summer

In the summer, the weather conditions of Eurasia are significantly different. Due to the warming of the territory, the Asian maximum is replaced by a low pressure area with a closed center over the Indus and the Persian Gulf - South Asian Low. The North Pacific Low is also disappearing, and the Icelandic Low is significantly weakening. Action North Atlantic and North Pacific Highs intensifies and spreads over large areas. Also formed South Indian High south of tropical latitudes. Above the polar latitudes, an area of ​​high pressure remains.

AT northwestern Europe a band of relatively low pressure is formed with pronounced cyclonic activity, which forms western and northwestern winds, bringing relatively cold air to the mainland. Moving along the warmed mainland, it quickly becomes continental. The average temperature in July in this region varies almost sublatitudinally from $12$ to $26^\circ C$ when moving from north to south.

Western Asia and Southern Europe exposed to air masses from the periphery of the North Atlantic High. They bring dry tropical air.

In Central Asia, enclosed by mountain rises, dry and hot air prevails in summer, the average temperature in July is up to $30^\circ C$. Similar conditions develop over the Arabian Peninsula under the action of the northeast trade wind from the baric maximum in the North Atlantic Ocean.

South and East Asia in summer, they experience strong pressure and temperature contrasts between the mainland and the ocean. This results in torrential rainfall caused by the summer monsoons. These areas will receive the highest amount of precipitation on the planet.

In the summer, in the Indian and Pacific oceans, typhoons– cyclonic eddies with a speed of $30-50 \km/h$ (sometimes up to $100\km/h$). They bring heavy rainfall. The action of typhoons manifests itself mainly in the Japanese and Philippine Islands, sometimes occurs on the southern and eastern outskirts of the continent.

Remark 1

Thus, Eurasia is located in all climatic zones (due to the extension from north to south), and all climatic regions are represented on its territory (due to the extension from west to east). Within Eurasia, all known types of climate on the planet are represented.

Climate features. The main feature of the Eurasian climate is diversity. Almost all types of climate that are on the planet are represented here. On the mainland, the lowest temperature in the Northern Hemisphere (in Oymyakon) and the largest amount of precipitation on land (in Cherrapunji) were recorded. The hottest and driest place on the continent is the Arabian Peninsula.

Using the climate maps of the atlas, determine the extreme temperatures for Oymyakon and Arabia, the average annual rainfall for Cherrapunji.

This feature of the Eurasian climate is the result of several factors. The first one is large extent of the continent along the meridian . Eurasia is located in 7 climate zones: arctic, subarctic, temperate, subtropical, tropical, subequatorial, equatorial.

Second - a large extent of the mainland along the parallel . Consequently, climatic regions are distinguished within the belts: maritime climate of the western coasts, continental, maritime climate of the eastern coasts (monsoon). The greatest number of regions are temperate and subtropical belts, falling on the widest part of the mainland.

As you go deeper into the mainland, the amplitude of temperatures increases and it becomes drier. Due to the vastness of Eurasia, its internal regions (regardless of location in a particular latitudinal zone) are distinguished by a particularly high degree continentality climate. Continental climates occupy considerable space in Eurasia - like no other continent on the planet. The highest degree of continentality is typical for the climates of the inner parts of the temperate and subtropical zones.

The third factor that determines the diversity of the climate of the mainland is relief . In Eurasia, its forms are distributed in such a way that they contribute to a sharp change in climatic conditions (both along the meridian and along the parallel). So inside the belts, the climate is variegated and contrasting. The location of mountain barriers along the coasts leads to the fact that maritime climates occupy insignificant territories. But thanks to such an orographic pattern, territories with continental climates are very significant in area. The Eurasian plains are vast, so the latitudinal zonality of the climate is clearly manifested on them. The mountain systems of Eurasia are high and extended; this contributes to the bright manifestation of altitudinal zonality.

The influence of the oceans on climate. In almost all belts of Eurasia, maritime climate types are formed.

However, the influence of each of the oceans manifests itself differently - depending on the geographical location of the territory and its topography. The Atlantic Ocean, due to western transfer in temperate latitudes, moderates the climate of the entire flat Europe and humidifies even mountainous Siberia, which is remote from it. The cold dry air of the Arctic Ocean, spreading to the mainland in summer, moves from high latitudes to the south along the lowlands. Therefore, it warms up quickly, and only the coasts feel its harsh “breath”. The western transport and coastal ranges do not allow the Pacific monsoon to penetrate the continent in temperate latitudes. But in low latitudes, the relief, receding in steps from the coast, retains its moisture even at a considerable distance from the ocean. The monsoon from the Indian Ocean, "bumping" near the coast on the long highest barrier of the Himalayas, abundantly moistens their southern slope and coastal lowlands, but does not fall into the interior of the mainland.

The influence of the oceans is also determined by their coastal currents. For the climate of Eurasia, the role of the warm North Atlantic Current is especially great.: it saturates the western transport with moisture, allowing it to carry precipitation far inland, and noticeably warms Western Europe in winter.

Arctic climate zone. The climate is formed by arctic - cold dry air masses coming from the high pressure area over the Arctic. In winter, during the polar night, temperatures drop to -40 °C. In summer, with the arrival of the polar day, the temperature rises to -20 ... -10 ° C, and on the coast - up to 0 ° C and above. There is little precipitation - about 100 mm (Fig. 22).

Subarctic climate zone. In the western (European) part of the belt, due to the warm Norwegian current, the climate is warmer and more humid than in the east (in Asia), where the air that forms over the mainland dominates. In summer, with the advent of temperate air, it rains everywhere. Summer temperatures are higher in the east (+12 °С), here in the basins they can rise up to +35 °С. Winters in the European part of the belt are snowy, while in the Asian part they are dry and very cold (below –40 °C), especially in the basins of the Oymyakon highland (up to –50 °C) (Fig. 23).

Rice. 22. Climate diagram 23. Climatic diagram of the Arctic zone of the subarctic zone

Verkhoyansk is one of the coldest places in the Northern Hemisphere (-71°C). And the cold pole of the hemisphere is Oymyakon, where a temperature of -71.2 °C is recorded.

temperate climate zone stretches across the widest part of the mainland. Therefore, the climate in the belt is very diverse - despite the fact that the same air mass forms it all year round - moderate.

In temperate latitudes, westerly transport operates. With it, in winter, warm, moist air from the Atlantic enters Europe. And the Asian part of the belt, located inside the continent, quickly cools down, and an area of ​​high atmospheric pressure is established above it - the Asian maximum. From here, cold dry air, filling the lowlands, spreads in all directions. On the eastern edge of the continent, rolling down to the Pacific Ocean, it forms a powerful winter monsoon. Strong deep freezing of the soil leads to the formation of a vast perennial zone in the Asian part of the belt. permafrost(Fig. 24).

Rice. 24. Permafrost

The southern boundary of continuous permafrost in Asia extends to 48°N. sh., and on separate islands it is found up to the 30th parallel. The formation of permafrost in temperate latitudes is a consequence of the high degree of continentality of the climate. It contributes to the formation of modern permafrost and the preservation at a depth of the relic permafrost that arose during the ancient glaciation. As a result, more than 30% of the territory of the temperate zone is located in the permafrost zone.

In summer, the mainland warms up, and an area of ​​low pressure forms above it. Cool moist air from the oceans rushes into it, capturing the western and eastern margins under its influence. And over the central parts dominated by continental air - dry and hot.

As a result, climatic conditions vary along the parallel and four climatic regions are distinguished in the temperate zone. In the west, in Europe, a nautical climate: cool summer (+15 °С), humid; winter is mild (from +5 to 0 °C) and also wet; annual precipitation with a summer maximum is about 1000 mm (Fig. 25). The East European Plain has temperate continental climate: warm summer (+19 °С), moderately humid, cold winter (-10 °С) and more dry; the annual amount of precipitation with a summer maximum is 700 mm in the north, and 400 mm or less in the south (Fig. 26). Behind the Urals is formed sharply continental climate: summer is warm, even hot (in the north +15 °С, in the south +30 °С) and dry, winter is very cold (-25 ... -45 °С) and dry. There is little precipitation - in the north and west up to 500 mm, in the south and east it is reduced to 200 mm (Fig. 27); only on the windward western slopes of uplands and high mountains does their number (especially in the south) sharply increase, sometimes exceeding 1500 mm.

The east coast of the Pacific Ocean has a climate monsoonal . Summer here is cool (+8 °С in the north, +16 °С in the south), humid, especially in the south. Winter is very cold, temperatures rise from west to east, towards the coast: both in the north and in the south from -35 to -20 °C. Annual precipitation with a pronounced summer maximum in the north is 500 mm, in the southeast - up to 2000 mm (Fig. 28).

Subtropical climate zone- transitional: in winter, a moderate air mass moves here from the north and a western transfer operates, and in summer, a tropical air mass from the south. On the atmospheric front separating them, cyclones are actively formed, which give heavy precipitation. The monsoon operates on the eastern edge of the mainland.

The belt stretches through a wide part of the mainland with a complex relief: high mountains alternate with vast plains. Therefore, the climatic conditions are also varied. To the west is the area Mediterranean climate. Winters here are mild and rainy, while summers are hot and dry (Fig. 29). The inner parts of the belt, which are distinguished by a particularly dissected relief, are characterized by continental climate. In summer, it is hot on the plains enclosed by mountain ranges: average temperatures are +32 °С, daily amplitudes reach 40 °С. A zi- Fig. 29. My climate diagram is cold, especially in the east of the Mediterranean region (down to -8 ° C). This is the driest region of the belt - about 100 mm of precipitation per year (Fig. 30). The eastern edge has monsoonal climate. Here, the coldest winters (down to -16 ° C) - the winter monsoon, dry and cold, takes the air out of the cooled continent. And in summer, the monsoon blows on land from the warm ocean. Therefore, this area is the wettest in the belt: 3000 mm of precipitation falls on the islands, and 800-2000 mm on the mainland (Fig. 31).

Rice. 29

Rice. Fig. 30. Climatodiagram of the monsoon region of the subtrosubtropical belt. 31. Climatic diagram of the continental region

Tropical climate zone occupies the southwestern part of the mainland. During the year, hot and dry tropical continental air dominates here, and this leads to the formation desert climate. In the south of the Arabian Peninsula (Fig. 32), the average annual temperatures are the highest in Eurasia (+30 °С), and in the warmest month of the year, June, the average daily temperatures are above +30 °С everywhere. It is dry all year round (Fig. 33).

AT subequatorial climatic zone the seasonality of moisture is pronounced. The winter monsoon carries tropical air from the land, while the summer monsoon carries equatorial air from the oceans. Therefore, warm winters are dry, and hot summers are very humid (Fig. 34). Near the coast, the slopes of the Himalayas delay the monsoon, and 12,000 mm of precipitation falls at their foot - the maximum for the subequatorial belt and for the entire land of the planet.

AT equatorial climate zone equatorial air dominates constantly. The climate is monotonous. The seasons are not expressed. The average annual temperature is +25 ... +27 ° С, there is a lot of precipitation everywhere - from 2000 to 3000 mm (Fig. 36). There are heavy showers. Cloudy, hot and wet. The weather repeats daily.

Rice. 36. Climate diagram

Influence of climate on economic activity. In Eurasia, the geographical regularity of the manifestation of this connection is clearly traced.

A significant part of the mainland has a climate unfavorable for living and economic activity. The climate of high latitudes is severe, extremely cold. In the inland parts of Eurasia in the tropical, subtropical and temperate zones, extremely arid, hot (Fig. 37) or cold continental climates with large annual and daily temperature differences are formed. Climates with excessive atmospheric moisture - with abundant precipitation throughout the year - subequatorial monsoon (Bengal) (Fig. 38) and equatorial - are characteristic of the southern and southeastern margins of Eurasia.

The most favorable climate for human habitation and - as a result - for all types of economic activity is moderately humid and moderately warm, with a uniform regime of all climatic elements. These conditions best correspond to the maritime and temperate continental climates of the temperate and subtropical zones, to a somewhat lesser extent - subequatorial.

Favorable climate zones occupy a small part of the continent. One zone - extensive - is located in the west, covers almost all of Europe and the Asian Mediterranean. The other is located in the southeast of Asia and stretches along the coast in a narrow strip, bounded from the side of the continent by the high chains of the Himalayas, the mountains of Central and East Asia. It is in these areas that the concentration of the population is highest. Here are the most favorable conditions for diversified agriculture and animal husbandry, which provide primary raw materials for a complex of industries. The concentration of the population stimulates the development of a diversified industry, transport, services and communications.

In our time - the time of the development of high technologies - the impact of climate on economic activity is not as dramatic and unambiguous as it was in the early stages of the development of human society, when a person's life was absolutely dependent on the nature around him. However, even now the climate determines the conditions of life, significantly affecting the cost of living in certain conditions.

Bibliography

1. Geography grade 9 / Textbook for grade 9 institutions of general secondary education with the Russian language of instruction / Edited by N. V. Naumenko/ Minsk "People's Asveta" 2011

The vast size of the territory of Eurasia and the nature of the relief determine the main features of its climate. High mountains close the mainland from the south and east from the penetration of the air masses of the Pacific and Indian oceans deep into the mainland. In the west and north, Eurasia is "open" to the influence of the Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean.

Eurasia is located in all climatic zones Northern hemisphere: from arctic to equatorial. However, the temperate zone occupies the largest areas. In the marginal regions, the maritime climate prevails, while in the interior - continental and sharply continental.

AT arctic and subarctic belts There is a sharp difference between the western regions with a maritime climate (with a slight temperature range, high precipitation, relatively warm winters and cool summers) and the eastern regions with a continental climate (very cold winters, up to -40 ... -45 ° C and much less precipitation) .

Within temperate zone There are 4 climatic regions. The maritime climate of the west coast is formed under the influence of the Atlantic air masses. Here summers are cool, winters are relatively warm. Precipitation is distributed evenly throughout the year. During the passage of cyclones, the weather changes rapidly, in summer there may be cold snaps, in winter thaws. Weather instability and relatively wet winters are also characteristic of the temperate continental (transitional from maritime to continental) climate, which is characteristic of Central and Eastern Europe. With distance from the ocean, the annual temperature range increases (due to colder winters) and the amount of precipitation decreases. There is more precipitation in summer than in winter. Beyond the Yenisei, in Eastern Siberia and Central Asia, the climate is sharply continental with very cold, dry winters and hot, moderately humid summers. On the east coast of the mainland, a monsoonal climate prevails with warm, humid summers and cold, dry winters.

AT subtropical zone three climatic regions. The west is dominated by a Mediterranean climate with dry, hot summers and wet winters. This is due to the fact that in summer dry tropical air comes here, and in winter - sea air from temperate latitudes. In the highlands of Asia Minor, northern Iran and Armenia, a continental subtropical climate is common with cold winters (temperatures can drop below 0 ° C) and hot, very dry summers (a small amount of precipitation falls mainly in the winter-spring period). To the east of the mainland, the subtropics are represented by a monsoon climate area with a summer maximum of precipitation.

AT tropical zone on the Arabian Peninsula, in Mesopotamia, in the south of the Iranian Highlands and in the basin of the lower Indus, very dry and hot continental air masses dominate throughout the year. Summers are very hot (up to +30...+35 °c), winters are warm (+18...+24 °c). The amount of precipitation on the plains rarely exceeds 200 mm; in a number of desert places, no more than 50 mm of precipitation falls annually. In the east, the tropical belt wedges out.

Between 10-20°N on the Hindustan and Indochina peninsulas, as well as in the extreme south of China, is located subequatorial belt with monsoon climate. Even further south, on the Malay Peninsula and the islands of the Malay Archipelago, the equatorial belt is widespread with a constantly hot (above +25 ° C) and humid climate.

Temper air temperature, pressure and wind in January and July (Eurasia)

Average annual rainfall (EUR Asia)

The climatic features of the mainland are determined by its huge size, large extent from south to north (from the equator to the Arctic latitudes), from west to east, as well as the structure of the surface - the presence of high mountain systems in the south and east, the wide distribution of basin relief.

Due to its great length from north to south, Eurasia is located in all climatic zones of the Northern Hemisphere: from the Arctic to the equatorial. The temperate zone occupies the largest areas, because it is in temperate latitudes that the mainland is more elongated from west to east.

In the arctic and subarctic zones, western regions are distinguished with a maritime climate: small temperature amplitudes due to relatively warm winters and cool summers. In the east of the belts, the climate is continental with very cold (down to -40 ... -45 ° C) winters.

Within the temperate zone, climatic conditions are very diverse. The climate of the western coast is maritime, it is formed during the year under the influence of air masses from the Atlantic Ocean. Summers are cool, winters are relatively warm even in northern latitudes, for example, on the coast of the Scandinavian Peninsula. Precipitation falls throughout the year. During the passage of cyclones, the weather changes rapidly, in summer there may be cold snaps, in winter thaws.

Some features of the maritime type of climate persist further to the east, almost throughout Europe: weather instability, relatively wet winters. However, with distance from the ocean, the difference between summer and winter temperatures increases: winter becomes noticeably colder. There is more precipitation in summer than in winter. This is an area of ​​transition from maritime to continental climate. Often this type of climate is called temperate continental. Transitional conditions are typical for Central and Eastern Europe.

Beyond the Urals, in Siberia, and Central Asia, winters are very cold and dry; summers are hot and moderately humid. This area has a sharply continental climate.

On the east coast of the mainland, the climate is monsoonal with relatively warm, humid summers and cold, dry winters.

In the subtropical zone on the plains, temperatures are positive throughout the year. There are three climatic regions. In the west - the Mediterranean, where dry tropical air reigns in summer (heat and cloudless), and in winter - sea air of temperate latitudes (precipitation falls).

In the regions of the Asian highlands, the climate is subtropical continental with relatively cold (in places with temperatures below 0 ° C) winters and hot, very dry summers. The total amount of precipitation is small, they fall in the winter-spring period.

In the east of the subtropical zone there is an area of ​​monsoon climate with a typical precipitation regime (summer maximum).

The climatic features of the tropical zone are peculiar. On the Arabian Peninsula, in Mesopotamia, in the south of the Iranian Highlands and in the basin of the lower Indus, continental tropical air masses dominate during the year, very dry and hot. Summers are very hot (average July temperatures are +30°...+35°С), winters are warm (average January temperatures are +18°...+24°С). The amount of precipitation on the plains does not exceed 200 mm, and in some places - below 50 mm per year.

To the east, the tropical belt becomes wedge-shaped. At 10-20°C. sh. it is replaced by a subequatorial belt with a monsoon climate prevailing on the peninsulas of Hindustan, Indochina, in most of the Indo-Gangetic lowland and in the very south of China.

To the south is the equatorial belt. It occupies the Malay Peninsula and the islands of the Malay Archipelago. The climate is the same as in the Amazonian lowlands and in the basin of the Congo River.