The climatic belts recognized by the Greeks were torrid, temperate, and frigid. These terms were used to describe the three main climatic zones based on their distance from the equator and the amount of solar radiation they receive.
The torrid zone is the area near the equator, where the sun's rays are most direct, and the climate is generally hot and humid throughout the year. The temperate zone lies between the tropics and the polar regions and experiences moderate temperatures and four distinct seasons. The frigid zone, also known as the polar zone, is located near the North and South poles and has a cold climate with little sunlight during the winter months.
These climatic belts were recognized by the Greeks as early as the 4th century BCE and were based on their observations of the world around them. The Greeks were among the first to recognize the relationship between geography, climate, and vegetation, which they described as the "oikumene," or the inhabited world. This understanding of the different climatic zones was important for agriculture, trade, and navigation, as it allowed the Greeks to anticipate the climate and weather conditions they would encounter in different parts of the world.