Climate and Climate Zones

What this unit covers

This page sits in the Weather, Climate and Hazards strand of Geography. It brings together resources on what climate is, what shapes it and how the world divides into climate zones. Many items mention GCSE Geography or A-level Geography, so they suit secondary revision.

Where to start

Begin with the basics. The Climate and Weather Quiz checks the key difference: weather is short-term, climate is long-term. It also asks about greenhouse gases. Then open the Major Climate Controls mind map, which starts with the structure of the atmosphere, and the flashcards on the elements and factors that determine a country's climate.

Climate zones and case studies

Next, look at specific climates. Useful items include:

• The Cool Temperate Oceanic Climate mind map, which covers location, winters above freezing and places such as north-west Europe and New Zealand.
• The Cool Temperate Oceanic Climate (Ireland) flashcards, which ask about the factors and the winter and summer temperatures.
• The Climate Zones of Africa slide set, running from equatorial to humid tropical zones.
• The Hot Desert Climate and Tropical Monsoon Climate mind maps, plus flashcards on the Indian monsoon.

For a real-world hazard, the Drought in Mali 2010-11 mind map sets out causes, impacts and management responses.

Using quizzes and maps together

Read a mind map first, then close it and take a quiz on the same topic. Note the questions you miss, go back to the matching map or flashcard deck, and try again. Flashcards such as the climate graph decks are handy for short, repeated practice.

Over to you

Teachers can pick a mind map or slide set to share with a class. Students can choose one climate zone today and test themselves on it.