Question 1 Report
Differentiate between the Equatorial and the Tropical continental climates under the following
(a) location
(b) temperature characteristics
(c) rainfall distribution
Differences between the Equatorial and Tropical Continental climates
| Element | Equatorial climate | Tropical continental (Savanna) climate |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Location | Lies roughly between \(5^{\circ}\text{N}\) and \(5^{\circ}\text{S}\) of the equator (Congo basin, Amazon basin, coastlands of West Africa and South-East Asia). | Lies between about \(5^{\circ}\) and \(15^{\circ}\) (up to \(20^{\circ}\)) north and south of the equator, in the interiors north and south of the equatorial belt (Nigerian middle belt, East Africa, Llanos, Campos). |
| (b) Temperature | Uniformly high all year, mean about \(27^{\circ}\text{C}\); very small annual range (about \(2^{\circ}\text{C}\)); no distinct hot or cold season. | High mean temperatures but a larger annual range (about \(8^{\circ}\text{C}\)); hottest just before the rains and cooler in the dry season; larger diurnal range. |
| (c) Rainfall distribution | Heavy rainfall all year (over \(2000\text{ mm}\)), no true dry season, with double maxima near the equinoxes; mainly convectional. | Distinct wet and dry seasons; total lower (about \(750\text{ to }1500\text{ mm}\)) falling mostly in the high-sun summer, with a marked dry season in the low-sun period; single maximum. |
Everything you need to excel in your exams