Describe the latitudinal distribution of Koppen's classification of world climate.

 Question.

Describe the latitudinal distribution of Koppen's classification of world climate.

( UPSC geography optional paper 1 2024)

Answer. 

Köppen’s climate classification, developed by Wladimir Köppen, is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It is based on temperature and precipitation patterns and their influence on natural vegetation. The system divides the world into five major climate groups, each represented by a capital letter (A to E), and further subdivided using additional letters (a,b,c,d, f, h, k, m,s, Sh, Sk, w, Wh, Wk,)

Major Climate Groups and Their Latitudinal Distribution:

1. Tropical Climates (Group A):

Latitudinal Range: 0° to 15°–20° N and S (Equatorial zone)

Characteristics: High year-round temperatures and abundant rainfall.

Subtypes:

• Af: Tropical rainforest (e.g., Amazon Basin, Congo Basin)
• Am: Tropical monsoon (e.g., South and Southeast Asia)
• Aw/As: Tropical savanna (e.g., parts of Brazil, central India, and East Africa)

2. Dry Climates (Group B):

Latitudinal Range: 15° to 30° N and S (Subtropical high-pressure zones and rain shadows)

Characteristics: Evaporation exceeds precipitation.

Subtypes:

• BWh: Hot desert (e.g., Sahara, Arabian Desert)
• BWk: Cold desert (e.g., Gobi Desert)
• BSh/BSk: Steppe or semi-arid regions (e.g., parts of central Asia, southwest USA)

3. Temperate (Mesothermal) Climates (Group C):

Latitudinal Range: 25° to 45° N and S (Mid-latitudes)

Characteristics: Moderate temperatures with seasonal variations.

4. Continental (Microthermal) Climates (Group D):

Latitudinal Range: 45° to 60° N (Mainly in the Northern Hemisphere)

Characteristics: Significant temperature range between summer and winter.

5. Polar Climates (Group E):

Latitudinal Range: 60° to 90° N and S (Polar zones)

Characteristics: Extremely cold with limited precipitation.

6. Polar Climates (Group E):

Location: 70° to 90° N and S latitudes.

Climatic Subtypes:

• ET (Tundra)
• EF (Ice Cap)

Explanation: Extremely low solar radiation; permafrost and glaciated landscapes dominate.

Conclusion:

Köppen’s classification reflects the zonal distribution of global climates in alignment with latitude, insolation, and air mass circulation. Though simple, it effectively explains climatic regions based on vegetation and is still relevant for understanding global climatic patterns, especially in a latitudinal context.

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