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In geography
Geography

Geography is the study of the Earth and its lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth"....
, temperate or tepid latitude
Latitude

Latitude, usually denoted symbolically by the Greek letter phi gives the location of a place on Earth north or south of the equator. Lines of Latitude are the horizontal lines shown running east-to-west on maps ....
s of the globe lie between the tropics
Tropics

The Tropics, seated in the equatorial regions of the world, are limited in latitude by the Tropic of Cancer in the northern hemisphere at approximately 23?26' N latitude, and the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere at 23?26' S latitude....
 and the polar circle
Polar circle

A polar circle is either the Arctic Circle or the Antarctic Circle. On Earth, the Arctic Circle is located at a latitude of 66? 33' 38" N, and the Antarctic Circle is located at a latitude of 66? 33' 38" S....
s. The changes in these regions between summer and winter are generally mild, rather than extreme hot or cold. But in continental areas such as central north america the variations between summer and winter can be extreme However, a temperate climate can have very unpredictable weather. In regions traditionally considered tropical, localities at high altitudes (e.g.






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In geography
Geography

Geography is the study of the Earth and its lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth"....
, temperate or tepid latitude
Latitude

Latitude, usually denoted symbolically by the Greek letter phi gives the location of a place on Earth north or south of the equator. Lines of Latitude are the horizontal lines shown running east-to-west on maps ....
s of the globe lie between the tropics
Tropics

The Tropics, seated in the equatorial regions of the world, are limited in latitude by the Tropic of Cancer in the northern hemisphere at approximately 23?26' N latitude, and the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere at 23?26' S latitude....
 and the polar circle
Polar circle

A polar circle is either the Arctic Circle or the Antarctic Circle. On Earth, the Arctic Circle is located at a latitude of 66? 33' 38" N, and the Antarctic Circle is located at a latitude of 66? 33' 38" S....
s. The changes in these regions between summer and winter are generally mild, rather than extreme hot or cold. But in continental areas such as central north america the variations between summer and winter can be extreme However, a temperate climate can have very unpredictable weather. In regions traditionally considered tropical, localities at high altitudes (e.g. parts of the Andes
Andes

The Andes form the world's longest exposed mountain range. They lie as a continuous chain of highland along the western coast of South America. The range is over 7,000 km long, 200-700 km wide , and of an average height of about 4,000 m ....
) may have a temperate climate. The north temperate zone extends from the Tropic of Cancer
Tropic of Cancer

The Tropic of Cancer, or Northern tropic, is one of five major degree measures or major circle of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. It is the northernmost latitude at which the Sun can appear directly overhead at noon....
 (at about 23.5 degrees north latitude) to the Arctic Circle
Arctic Circle

The Arctic Circle is one of the five major circle of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. It is the parallel of latitude that runs 66degree 33'39? north of the Equator....
 (at approximately 66.6 degrees north latitude). The south temperate zone extends from the Tropic of Capricorn
Tropic of Capricorn

The Tropic of Capricorn, or Southern tropic, is one of the five major circle of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. It lies 23degree 26' 22? south of the Equator, and marks the most southerly latitude at which the sun can appear directly overhead at noon....
 (at approximately 23.5 degrees south latitude,) to the Antarctic Circle
Antarctic Circle

The Antarctic Circle is one of the five major circle of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. As of 2000, it lies at latitude 66degree 33' 39? south of the equator....
 (at approximately 66.6 degrees south latitude.)

Within these borders there are many climate types, which are generally grouped into two categories: maritime and continental
Continental climate

Continental climate is a climate that is characterized by winter temperatures cold enough to support a fixed period of snow cover each year, and relatively moderate precipitation occurring mostly in summer, although east coast areas may show an even distribution of precipitation....
.

The maritime climate is affected by the oceans, which help to sustain somewhat stable temperatures throughout the year. In temperate zones the prevailing winds are from the west, thus the western edge of temperate continents most commonly experience this maritime climate. Such regions include Western Europe
Western Europe

Western Europe refers to the countries in the western most half of Europe. This concept has had different meanings, political and cultural as well as geographical issues have influenced the area....
, and western North America
North America

North America is the northern continent of the Americas, situated in the Earth's northern hemisphere and almost totally in the western hemisphere....
 at latitudes between 40° and 60° north (65°N in Europe).

The continental climate is usually situated inland, with warmer summers and colder winters. Heat loss and reception are aided by extensive land mass. In North America
North America

North America is the northern continent of the Americas, situated in the Earth's northern hemisphere and almost totally in the western hemisphere....
, the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains

The Rocky Mountains, often called the Rockies, are a mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than 4,800 kilometre from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in Canada, to New Mexico, in the United States....
 act as a climate barrier to the maritime air blowing from the west, creating a continental climate to the east. In Europe, the maritime climate is able to stabilize inland temperature, because the major mountain range - the Alps
Alps

The Alps is the name for one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east; through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany; to France in the west....
 - is oriented east-west (the area east of the long Scandinavian mountain range
Scandinavian Mountains

The Scandinavian Mountains, in Swedish language Skanderna, Fj?llen or K?len, and in Norwegian language Kj?len, with the two latter meaning the Keel, are a mountain range that runs through the Scandinavian Peninsula....
 is an exception).

The majority of the world's human population resides in temperate zones, especially in the northern hemisphere because of the mass of land.

For the history of the term, see geographical zone
Geographical zone

Each of the five main latitude regions of the earth's surface is said to be a geographical zone, divided by the major circles of latitude. The differences between them relate to climate, and the behaviour of the sun....

See also

  • Middle dogs
  • Habitat (ecology)
    Habitat (ecology)

    A habitat is an ecological or Natural_environment area that is inhabited by a particular animal or plant species. It is the natural environment in which an organism lives, or the physical environment that surrounds a species population....
  • Subtropical
  • Geographical zone
    Geographical zone

    Each of the five main latitude regions of the earth's surface is said to be a geographical zone, divided by the major circles of latitude. The differences between them relate to climate, and the behaviour of the sun....