Climatic Regions of the World (Part-III) focuses on some of the most important cool temperate and polar climates found on Earth. These climates are mainly located in the higher latitudes and are very different from tropical climates. In here, we will study four major climatic types:

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• Cool Temperate Western Margin (British Type) Climate
• Cool Temperate Continental (Siberian) Climate
• Cool Temperate Eastern Margin (Laurentian) Climate
• Arctic or Polar Climate

We will also learn about their distribution, temperature, rainfall, vegetation, and economic activities.

Cool Temperate Western Margin (British Type) Climate

Distribution

This climate is mainly found in regions close to the western coasts of continents in the temperate zone.

Europe

• Most developed in and around Britain
• Extends to:
  • Northern and Western France
  • Belgium
  • Netherlands
  • Denmark
  • Western Norway
  • North-West Spain

North America

• Found mainly in British Columbia (Canada)
• The Rocky Mountains block the winds, so the climate does not go far inland

Southern Hemisphere

• Southern Chile
• Southern Australia
• Tasmania
• New Zealand

Main Features

• Strong influence of Westerly winds throughout the year
• Frequent cyclones (low-pressure systems)
• Rainfall occurs in all seasons
• Weather is unpredictable
• Known for cool summers and mild winters

Temperature

• Average yearly temperature: 5°C to 15°C
• Winters are mild, not extremely cold
• Summers are warm but not very hot

This is mainly because of the warm ocean currents, like the North Atlantic Drift, which keep temperatures moderate.

Rainfall

• Rainfall is well distributed throughout the year
• Slightly higher rainfall in winter
• Coastal areas receive more rain

Special Case: New Zealand

• Western side gets heavy rainfall due to mountains
• Eastern side receives less rainfall due to rain-shadow effect

Seasons

There are four clear seasons:

1. Winter – cold, cloudy, foggy, rainy
2. Spring – fresh and pleasant
3. Summer – long and sunny
4. Autumn – windy and cool

Natural Vegetation

• Mainly deciduous forests
• Trees lose leaves in winter

Common Trees:

• Oak
• Elm
• Ash
• Birch
• Beech
• Poplar

In higher areas, coniferous trees grow instead.

Economic Activities

1. Lumbering (Wood Industry)

• Hardwood trees are useful for:
  • Furniture
  • Fuel
  • Industry

2. Industrial Development

• Highly industrialized regions
• Important industries:
  • Automobiles
  • Machinery
  • Textiles

3. Agriculture

• Mixed farming is common:
  • Crop growing + animal rearing

Main Crops:

• Wheat
• Barley
• Vegetables
• Fruits

Dairying and Animal Farming

• Ideal climate for dairy farming
• Countries like Denmark and Netherlands are famous

Products:

• Milk
• Butter
• Cheese

Meat Industry

• Pigs and poultry are raised
• Countries export:
  • Bacon
  • Meat products

Cool Temperate Continental (Siberian) Climate

Distribution

• Found in the Northern Hemisphere only
• Between 50°N to 70°N latitude

Regions:

• Central Canada
• Parts of Scandinavia
• Most of Russia (Siberia)

Temperature

• Very extreme climate

Summers:

• Short and warm (20°C to 25°C)

Winters:

• Very long and extremely cold
• Temperature can go below -40°C
• Annual temperature range is very high (50°C to 60°C)

Example:

• Verkhoyansk recorded -67°C

Rainfall

• Annual rainfall: 38 cm to 63 cm
• Mostly in summer
• Winter precipitation is in the form of snow

Natural Vegetation

• Dominated by coniferous forests (Taiga)

Regions:

• Siberia
• Canada
• Alaska
• Scandinavia

Features of Coniferous Forests

• Trees are tall and straight
• Evergreen (do not shed leaves yearly)
• Leaves are needle-shaped

Soil:

• Poor and acidic
• Low fertility

Economic Activities

1. Lumbering

• Main economic activity
• Softwood is used for:
  • Paper
  • Furniture
  • Construction

2. Paper and Pulp Industry

• Countries like:
  • Canada
  • USA
  • Russia

are major producers

3. Trapping

• Hunting of animals for fur

Important animals:

• Mink
• Fox
• Muskrat

4. Transport

• Rivers are used to float logs to factories

Cool Temperate Eastern Margin (Laurentian) Climate

Distribution

The Laurentian climate is an intermediate type of climate between the British Type Climate (moderate) and the Siberian or Taiga Climate (extreme). It has features of both maritime (ocean) and continental (land) climates.

This type of climate is found only in the Northern Hemisphere and mainly in two regions:

North America

• Eastern Canada
• North-East USA
• Newfoundland

Asia

• North China
• Korea
• Japan
• Eastern Siberia
• Manchuria

Climate Nature

• Combination of:
  • Maritime climate (influenced by oceans)
  • Continental climate (influenced by land)

Temperature

• Winters are cold and dry
• Summers are warm and wet (~25°C)
• Winter temperatures go below freezing point
• Snowfall is common in winter
• Summers can be as warm as tropical regions

Rainfall

• Rainfall occurs throughout the year
• Annual rainfall: 75 cm to 150 cm

North American Region

• Rainfall is evenly distributed
• Influenced by:
  • Atlantic Ocean (summer rainfall)
  • Great Lakes (winter precipitation)
• The warm Gulf Stream increases moisture in winds
• Westerlies bring cyclones, causing winter rainfall
• Mixing of Gulf Stream (warm) and Labrador Current (cold) near Newfoundland creates:
  • Dense fog
  • Mist
  • Heavy rainfall

Asiatic Region

• Rainfall is not evenly distributed
• Winters are cold and very dry
• Summers are very warm and very wet
• Rainfall pattern is similar to monsoon climate in India

Reason:

• In summer, strong heating in China creates low pressure
• Moist winds from the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Japan bring heavy rain

This is why this climate in Asia is also called Cool Temperate Monsoon Climate

Special Features

• Mixing of warm and cold ocean currents creates:
  • Fog
  • Mist

Example:

• Newfoundland (very famous for fog)

Japan Climate

• Climate is influenced by ocean currents:
  • Warm Kuroshio Current → makes climate milder
  • Cold Oyashio Current → creates fog
• Northern Japan is called a “second Newfoundland” because of heavy fog
• In many coastal areas, fishing is more important than farming

Natural Vegetation

• Mainly cool temperate forests

Reasons:

• Heavy rainfall
• Warm summers
• Moist air due to fog

Types of Trees:

• North of 50°N → Coniferous forests
• South of 50°N → Deciduous forests

Common Trees:

• Oak
• Beech
• Maple
• Birch

Economic Activities

1. Lumbering

• Very important in Eastern Canada
• Forests have pure stands of trees, which increases commercial value
• Wood is used for:
  • Timber
  • Paper
  • Pulp industry

2. Fishing

• One of the world’s best fishing regions

Example:

• Grand Banks of Newfoundland

Reason:

• Mixing of warm Gulf Stream and cold Labrador Current
• This creates a very rich fishing ground
• Many countries send fishing ships here:
  • Canada
  • USA
  • Japan
  • Russia
  • Norway

Japan Fishing:

• Major fishing ports:
  • Hakodate
  • Kushiro
• Advanced cold storage facilities available
• Pearl farming is also important:
  • Pearls are taken from oysters

3. Agriculture

• Dairy farming is common

Example:

• Annapolis Valley (Nova Scotia) is famous for apple production

Arctic or Polar Climate

Distribution

• Found in extreme northern and southern regions

Areas:

• Arctic Circle (North)
• Antarctic Circle (South)

Examples:

• Greenland
• Antarctica
• Northern Canada
• Alaska
• Antarctica has the largest ice-cap in the world
• Coastal areas of:
  • Greenland
  • Northern Canada
  • Alaska
    have tundra climate

Temperature

• Extremely cold climate

Winter:

• Temperature can fall to -40°C to -50°C or lower

Summer:

• Short and slightly warmer
• Special feature:
  • Continuous darkness in winter
  • Continuous daylight in summer
• Strong winds and blizzards are common

Weather Conditions

• Frost can occur anytime
• Blizzards can reach very high speeds
• Climate is harsh and difficult for human life

Rainfall

• Very low precipitation
• Mostly in the form of:
  • Snow
  • Ice
  • Sleet
• No convectional rainfall

Natural Vegetation

• No trees grow in tundra regions

Only small plants grow:

• Mosses
• Lichens
• Grasses
• Coastal areas support:
  • Reindeer moss (food for reindeer)

Tundra Region

• Found near polar coasts

Supports:

• Reindeer
• Small plants

Summer Season

• Ice melts for a short period
• Small plants grow quickly
• Berry bushes and Arctic flowers bloom
• Birds migrate here to feed on insects

Importance of These Climatic Regions

Understanding these climates is important because:

• They affect human life and settlements
• They influence agriculture and economy
• They help us understand climate change
• They show how people adapt to extreme conditions

Conclusion

Climatic Regions of the World (Part-III) helps us understand how different parts of the world experience very different weather conditions.

• The British type climate is mild and suitable for agriculture and industry
• The Siberian climate is extreme and mainly supports forests and mining
• The Laurentian climate supports fishing, forestry, and farming
• The Polar climate is harsh and supports very limited life

Each climatic region has its own importance and plays a key role in shaping the natural environment and human activities.

FAQs

1. What is British type climate?

It is a cool temperate climate with mild winters, cool summers, and rainfall throughout the year.

2. Why is Siberian climate extreme?

Because it is far from oceans and has strong continental influence, leading to very cold winters and warm summers.

3. What is Taiga forest?

It is a large belt of coniferous forest found in Siberian climate regions.

4. Why is Newfoundland famous for fog?

Due to the meeting of warm Gulf Stream and cold Labrador Current.

5. What grows in polar regions?

Only small plants like mosses, lichens, and grasses grow due to extreme cold.

6. Which climate is best for dairy farming?

Cool temperate western margin climate is ideal for dairy farming.