Africa. Climatic conditions

AT South Africa There are many different climate zones. There are deserts, and zones with a Mediterranean and even subtropical climate. The difference in temperature and humidity in different zones of this part of the world is quite significant. In general, the seasons here are directly opposite to the seasons in the Northern Hemisphere.

Weather in South Africa now:

Summer weather in South Africa occurs from October to March, at which time the air temperature can range from 15 to 35 degrees. winter weather It is set from June to August, when the temperature can drop below zero at night and rise to twenty degrees during the day. Spring and autumn take short periods of time - two months each.

Climate of South Africa by months:

Spring

Spring in South Africa comes in August. At this time, the temperature begins to rise, its daily jumps increase. In August, in different zones of the South African region, the temperature during the day can rise to 20 degrees, and at night it can drop to 8-10 degrees. In September, these figures increase by an average of 2-5 degrees. Water in rivers and lakes is warming, its temperature is about 15 degrees. At this time, vegetation is actively developing and flourishing. So, in Botswana, acacias, mokutemo and other plants begin to grow and bloom.

In spring, in areas located far from the coast, the wind season begins. Unlike winter and other seasons, when the wind speed is rarely one and a half meters per second, in August the wind speed reaches 8 meters per second.

Summer

Summer in South Africa starts in October. During this season, temperatures can reach 35 degrees in different areas. During the day, the entire territory is dry heat, but at night the thermometers drop to fifteen degrees. In some places, such as South Africa, there are strong diurnal temperature fluctuations, when the air cools to below zero at night. Usually such differences are found in the mountains. Most a large number of precipitation falls at this time. Then the flowering of vegetation begins.

The small South African country of Swaziland is distinguished by a huge variety and richness of flora. There are about two and a half thousand species of plants here. These are all kinds of flowers and shrubs. This time of year accounts for most of the holidays in South Africa. The largest of them is New Year and Christmas, which is celebrated according to Catholic custom on December 25th.

Autumn

The autumn season begins in South Africa in April and does not last very long - until about mid-May. This is very interesting time of the year. Despite the fact that there is very little precipitation in autumn, thick fog rises almost throughout the night and in the morning. The temperature gradually drops down, the daily fluctuations become smaller. For example, in April in South Africa, the temperature rises to 23 degrees during the day, and drops to 12 degrees at night. In some countries, for example, in Zimbabwe, such a season as autumn is not distinguished at all, winter comes abruptly, in late March - early April.

Winter

The winter period is the most varied weather season in South Africa. This season starts in June and ends in August. On average, the temperature fluctuates between 10-20 degrees Celsius. On the territory of the savannahs and plains, precipitation is extremely rare, but snow often lies in the mountains. In mountainous areas, the air temperature can drop well below zero. Although most of the regions are characterized by mild frosts.

In South Africa, there are no animals that would hibernate with the onset of cold weather. Representatives of the local fauna generally behave the same at any time of the year. The fauna here is quite diverse. You can meet both predatory animals - such as jackals, hyenas, leopards and lions, as well as herbivorous elephants, antelopes, zebras and all kinds of monkeys.

South Africa- a highly developed country, a piece of Europe on the African continent. A well-thought-out tourist infrastructure, a high standard of living for the population and a stable economy are not quite typical for Africa, are they? But in South Africa, it's all real. And even the climate here is conducive to itself: comfortable air temperature is almost all year round, warm ocean, and even opportunities for extreme skiing create optimal conditions for recreation. It would seem like heaven on earth? But even in paradise there are weather quirks that you should prepare for before the trip.

Climatic zones of South Africa

Climate in Republic of South Africa surprisingly soft. There are no extreme temperature peaks here. Although the country is located on the African continent, and there is a desert on its territory, unbearable heat is rare here.

The location in the southern hemisphere makes the climate of South Africa directly opposite to the European one: winter - in summer, summer - in winter.

Geographically, South Africa is located in the tropics, but the weather on its territory is determined more by the influence of oceanic air masses, and only partly by relief.

South Africa is the only country on the African continent with such a diverse population. 1/3 local residents are ethnic Europeans.

AT winter time the country is dry hot weather. High area atmospheric pressure creates optimal conditions for visiting. In summer it gets hotter due to the influence of air masses from indian ocean that bring the rainy season.

The climatic zones of South Africa can be divided as follows:

• West Coast. The cold Bengal current in the Atlantic Ocean has the main influence on the formation of the climate in the western part of the country. Here is the Namib Desert and the city of Cape Town. There are very few rainfalls. For several years, not a single rain may fall in the desert area at all. This is due to the fact that even air masses and carry moisture to the continent, but because of the Great Ledge, their path inland is blocked.
• Central South Africa. These are predominantly mountainous areas, so daily temperature fluctuations are a common phenomenon that characterizes altitudinal zonality. Frosts are common in winter.
• East Coast. Unlike the western regions, in the east - high humidity and a significant amount of precipitation - up to 1200 mm / year.

Climate by regions:

• Western Cape. It includes Cape Town. Here prevails subtropical mediterranean climate . Dry summer (December-February), Cold winter(June August). Characteristic strong winds.
• Houteng. Center - Johannesburg. Subtropical climate. May-April is the peak rainy season. But the city itself is located in the highlands, so it remains dry all year round. comfortable weather.
• Kazulu-Natal. Center - Durban. Climate - subtropical oceanic , suggesting hot summers (up to +34°C) and warm winters. Snow falls in the Drakensberg mountains.
• Eastern Cape. In Port Elizabeth - subtropical climate . You can go on a safari here all year round, and for beach holiday It is worth choosing a time between November and March.
• Mpumalanga. Subtropical climate. The coolest area is Kruger Park, in other areas the weather is much friendlier.
• Northwest. Most of the territory is occupied by the Kalahari Desert. The climate is appropriate.
• Limpopo. tropical climate . The northern part of the Kruger Park, which is located in this area, is unfavorable in terms of climate in October-March (up to +45°C).

Water off the coast of South Africa warms up to a maximum of + 26 ° C. The exception is the Atlantic Ocean, where, due to the Bengal Current, the water rarely exceeds +18°C.

Tourist seasons in South Africa

The tourist peak of visits to South Africa falls on November-December. Interestingly, at this time - the rainy season. The fact is that during this period the weather is the hottest, and the water in the ocean is the warmest. So that the rains do not spoil the rest, you should go away from central regions- to the coasts, where there is less rainfall. By the way, thunderstorms and showers in South Africa are usually a matter of night hours, so the sun often shines during the day. The smallest amount of precipitation occurs during the rainy season in the south of the country.

A characteristic feature of the weather in South Africa is when it is sunny in the morning in the summer, and it rains with thunderstorms in the late afternoon. The exception is the west coast and Cape Town - there is a rainy period only in winter. The largest amount of precipitation falls in the north of the country.

The best time for nature watching and traditional safari is the period from May to August, when the grass is not so high, and there is maximum visibility around. For beach activities it is better to choose the period from November to mid-March.

Tourism is one of the main sources of income for the budget of South Africa. Every year, due to the natural diversity, almost a million tourists visit the country.

What to bring

In Cape Town, located on the west coast of South Africa and washed by the cold Bengal current, it is rarely hot. But it is often cold. Jacket with long sleeve or even a sweater with a jacket will not interfere even in the African summer.

For a safari, you need not so much T-shirt shorts as a windbreaker, a warm pullover, a hat, or bondana, sneakers or boots. On a night safari, you need to dress even warmer. In the cold season, take with you: gloves, fleece hat, windbreaker, raincoat.

You should not take on a safari, or in general for a trip to South Africa, khaki clothes. There is an ambiguous attitude towards her here.

A separate issue is malaria. For its prevention, it is not a vaccination that is done (this is a big delusion), but special medications are taken orally. Before the trip, you should definitely consult a doctor and protect yourself from such an unpleasant ailment. But it is worth noting that South Africa is not included in the "malaria" zone, plus you need to take into account the travel season. If dry - there is nothing to be afraid of, if the rainy season - at your discretion. It is mandatory to have a yellow fever vaccination when entering the country. Unconditionally - the availability of medical insurance.

Be sure to bring repellents, sunscreen, sunglasses, closed clothing and hats.

The banking system is well developed in South Africa, but there are still places (gas stations, for example) where they do not accept credit cards you have to pay in cash. It is better to have dollars with you than euros.

Of the must-have things for traveling in South Africa: comfortable clothes made of cotton materials for safaris and excursions, smart clothes for restaurants, a woolen sweater for night or evening walks, a windbreaker when visiting Cape Town.

Weather in South Africa by months

December-February

Summer begins in South Africa in December. There is not much precipitation, the air temperature is comfortable. In Cape Town up to +26°C and very cool at night - maximum +16°C. In the south up to +28°С, in the northeast +32°С. The temperature in the Indian Ocean is up to +25°С. Continues african summer in January-February. There is little rainfall, the average temperature in the country during the day is + 26 ° С. The water in the Atlantic Ocean is +19°C, in the Indian Ocean up to +25+26°C. In January, you should not go to Durban, there is a peak in rainfall.

December - Peak tourist season in South Africa, so prices at this time, especially for travel services, are marginal. Many people come here on Christmas Eve, which is celebrated on December 25th. On January 1, South Africa celebrates the New Year.

March-May

Since March, the air temperature begins to gradually decrease. The most cold weather on the west coast. The water temperature in the Atlantic Ocean is practically unsuitable for swimming - it is already cold (+17°C). You can swim in the Indian Ocean - up to + 23 + 24 ° С.

Human Rights Day falls on March 21st. National holiday, Freedom Day, is celebrated on April 27th.

June August

The African winter has begun. Most of the area is quite cold. Snow falls in the mountains, frosts are frequent.

South Africa has the potential to ski holidays. Dragon Mountains and Veld are the focus of ski holidays in South Africa. Surprisingly, at the end of the world, on the African continent, there is everything for great skiing or snowboarding. The season in the Dragon Mountains is June-August. There is little natural snow cover here, therefore, using the "minus" at night, on ski resorts launch snow cannons. Thus, a two-meter snow cover and densely carved slopes create skiers good conditions for riding.

At this time, the safari season begins in the south of the Kruger Park. In August, you should go to Cape Town. There, off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, the whale season begins. It lasts until the end of March.

September-November

September is a great time for a safari in Limpopo. November is the rainy season.

Take a ride on the Rovos Rail retro train through the most picturesque corners! This is a historic train, the carriages of which were specially coupled in 1911 for the European royal family. If there is such an opportunity, be sure to use it and go on a several-day train tour! The season is from September to April.

September 24 is Heritage Day. National parks South Africa is a real natural treasure of the planet. The Kruger National Park is amazing place where the animal kingdom reigns natural environment their habitats over 350 km of primordial savannah. Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is best visited from March to November. national park"Mountain Zebra" is famous for its unique zebra population, and "Addo Elephant national park» - elephants.

Weather in cities and resorts by months

Pretoria

Bloemfontein

Durban

East London

The widest part of Africa is located in the center of the hot zone of illumination. The whole mainland is caressed by the sun all year, receives great amount the energy of our luminary. Africa's climate is determined geographic location, air circulation, the influence of the oceans, the nature of the underlying surface. According to the combination of these main factors, climatic zones (basic and transitional) are distinguished on the mainland: subtropical, tropical, subequatorial and equatorial. In this order, they are replaced in the northern hemisphere from north to south.

General characteristics of the African climate

The equator crosses the continent roughly in the center. Northern - more large part mainland - extends to mediterranean sea in the north and the Arabian Peninsula of Eurasia in the northeast. South of the equator lies a narrow part of Africa, resembling a triangle in shape. The area from the equator to the Northern Tropic receives about 200 kcal/cm2 per year. Average for total solar radiation on the mainland is 160 kcal/cm2 per year.

The climate of Africa is diverse, heat and moisture are distributed unevenly, especially in desert regions. The maximum amount of precipitation is received by the southwestern foot of the Cameroon volcano - up to 10,000 mm / year. Africa surpasses other continents in terms of temperature, being the hottest of them. The largest number solar heat falls on a land mass located between the Northern and Southern tropics.

We will describe the climate of Africa according to the position of the territories of the continent relative to the equator. This is the main climate-forming factor on which heating depends. earth's surface, and from it - air. An important role belongs to other conditions: atmospheric circulation, the nature of the relief, the features of the underlying surface, the position relative to other continents, oceans. The main and transitional types of climate in Africa:

• Equatorial.
• Subequatorial (wet in the south, arid in the north).
• Tropical desert.
• Subtropical Mediterranean.

Equatorial climate of Africa

In the center of the mainland near the 0° parallel, a hot and humid climate. equatorial belt covers the territory from 6 ° N. sh. up to 5°S sh. in the Congo basin in the east, on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, it reaches 8 ° N. sh. The conditions of this region are determined by equatorial air masses - hot and humid; it rains throughout the year. The air in January and July heats up to an average of +25 ° C, 2000-3000 mm of precipitation falls annually. The moisture coefficient reaches 1.5-2 (excess).

evergreen forests

The equatorial climate of Africa creates favorable conditions for warm and moisture-loving plants. The equatorial region of Africa is covered with dense evergreen forests - hylaea. It is difficult for animals and people to be under the canopy of the forest, where it is gloomy and stuffy, the air is saturated with the smells of decaying litter and the scent of orchids.

Impenetrable sparsely populated natural area in last years intensively studied. Forests are cut down for the sake of valuable timber for export. Mahogany, abachi (African maple) and other species are mined.

Subequatorial climate zone

It occupies vast expanses of the mainland from 20 ° S. sh. up to 17° s. sh. More than 1/3 of Africa is located in areas of subequatorial climate. In the eastern part transition belt is not interrupted by the equatorial one, in the southern hemisphere it does not reach the Atlantic Ocean.

Characteristics of the African climate in the subequatorial region of the continent:

1. Temperature conditions and humidity are determined by the alternating influence of tropical and equatorial air masses. As a result, seasons are formed - wet and dry.
2. In summer, hot and wet air equatorial latitudes, dry tropical air mass comes in winter, it becomes a little cooler.
3. The rainless season lasts from 2 to 10 months. The average annual air temperature is over +20 °С, about 1000 mm/year of precipitation will fall (in the southern part of the belt).
4. The duration of the wet period and the average annual precipitation decrease towards the outskirts subequatorial belt.
5. In the northern regions, less rain falls, and the hot breath of the desert is felt. The hottest period of the year falls at the beginning of the rainy season, when the average monthly temperature exceeds +30 °C.
6. The cool months of the humid period are characterized by temperatures around +20 °C and above.

Savannah

In addition to geographic location and atmospheric circulation, the climate features of Africa are determined feature relief of the mainland. The margins of the continent are uplifted; compared to the interior regions, they are located higher above sea level.

Mountain ranges and massifs in the north, east and southeast limit the influence of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans on the climate of the savannah zone, stretching within the subequatorial belt. Features of flora and fauna in this part of the continent are determined by the alternation of the wet and dry seasons, the lack of moisture for the formation of full-fledged forests, full-flowing riverbeds.

tropical belt

Features of the climate of Africa in the region of the Northern and Southern tropics - the dominance of hot and dry air masses. Areas with an arid tropical climate and a significant daily temperature range extend in the north and south of the mainland up to the 30th parallel. A significant area of ​​the continent is influenced by an arid tropical climate. In this zone, the highest average monthly rates are noted: +35 ... 40 ° С.

array North Africa receives a lot of solar radiation and very little moisture. Daytime temperatures rarely drop below 20°C. Snow lies on the mountain peaks in the tropics, and desert and semi-desert territories lie at the foot. The most extensive lifeless areas: in the north - the Sahara, in the south - the Namib.

Deserts and semi-deserts

There are areas in the Sahara where temperature minimums and maximums (-3 and +58 °С) were recorded. The daytime temperature on hot sand and stones reaches +60 ... 70 °С, at night it can drop to +10 °С. Daily temperature fluctuations reach 50 °С.

Precipitation in the deserts of Africa falls from 0 to 100 mm / year, which is extremely small. Rains sometimes do not reach the surface of the earth - they dry up in the air. Humidification is poor, Kuvl. = 0.1-0.3. The life of the desert population is concentrated in oases - places of exit groundwater. Agriculture, cattle breeding, tourist services are developed.

Subtropics of Africa

The extreme south and a narrow strip of the northern coast are occupied by areas subtropical climate. This is a transitional zone, the features of which are determined by the properties of air masses in temperate and tropical latitudes. The subtropical climate is characterized by dry and rainy season s, a significant flow of moisture, which contributes to the development of agriculture. The maximum number of rains in the northwestern and southwestern regions of the African continent occurs in the winter months, in the southeast the rainy season is summer.

The subtropics of Africa and other areas of the mainland attract numerous tourists. World-famous resorts are located on the coast of the Mediterranean and Red Seas, the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. The main direction of tourism development and types of recreation in North Africa is beach, sightseeing. In the savannas - safari, jeep. Less visited areas - impassable moist forests and uninhabited desert areas.

What is the climate in Africa now and in the past? The answer to this question lies in the beds of dry rivers (wadis), the ruins of once prosperous cities, covered by the sands of the Sahara. African climate is becoming arid, deserts are advancing in the north and south. A striking contrast to this phenomenon are floods, when rivers overflow their banks and flood coastal areas. Scientists suggest that catastrophic natural processes may be associated with intensive felling of tree plantations, the widespread construction of cities, roads, the development of agriculture and cattle breeding.

Lesson type: lesson of new knowledge.

The purpose of the lesson: study of the climate of Africa and the factors that shape the climate of the mainland using the technology of problem-based learning.

Tasks:
Educational: to characterize the climate of Africa, to prove that Africa is the hottest continent, to find out the influence of climate-forming factors on the climate of the continent.
Educational: develop the skills of working in dynamic groups and micro-teams, the skills of self-assessment and mutual verification.
Developing: develop the ability to work with a map, read a map, solve problematic problems.

Express lesson plan "Climate of Africa"

During the classes:

Statement of the educational task of the lesson.
1 Stage of knowledge testing
Updating knowledge - a geographical dictionary (pupils answer, orally explaining each term)

• Climate
• trade winds
• Isotherms
• Days of the equinoxes
• Solstices

Records of Africa (repetition of the material of previous lessons):

• Nile is the most long river world 6671 km
• hottest continent
• The only continent that is located in all four hemispheres
• The most heat on the ground +58°С
• The biggest tropical desert Sahara area over 7 million sq. km
• The largest land animal is the African elephant

Stage 2 - explanation of new material

Now name Africa's climate-related record: "Africa is the hottest continent." Let's prove this statement.
"Africa is the hottest continent":

1. The highest temperature on Earth is +58°С
2. Most of Africa is located between the equator and the tropics, i.e. hot thermal zone Earth. (Why is it hot here? The sun is at its zenith, i.e. the sun's rays fall in a straight line)
3. Most of Africa mean annual temperature not lower than +20°С
4. The average monthly temperature is not lower than +8°С

What is the climate of Africa like? To do this, we use a thematic map - climate. Let's open page 171 of the textbook. How to work with a climate map? Let's pay attention to conventional signs. What can be determined?
The climate of Africa: students work, make notes in a notebook
1. Absolute maximum t? (near Tripoli + 58 ° С)
2.Absolute minimum t ? (near Maung -4 ° С)
3. Most precipitation falls? (on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea more than 2000 mm per year)
4. Does the least amount of precipitation fall? (in the northern and southern parts mainland in the Sahara and Namib deserts less than 100 mm per year)
5. For North Africa, the average t? (January + 22 ° С, July + 24 ° С)
6. For South Africa, the average t? (January + 16 ° С, July + 8 ° С)

Question: Why are January temperatures lower than July in northern Africa, while January is much warmer than July in southern Africa?

Suggested answer: In the southern hemisphere, due to the position of the Earth, the seasons are reversed and the winter months of the northern hemisphere - December, January and February in the southern hemisphere are summer months. Therefore, January in southern Africa is warmer, it is a summer month.
Let us determine what factors determine such a climate in Africa. Let's create a table for this: the main task- the use of students' competencies, you can refer to page 39 of the textbook (Fig. 2)
climate-forming factors

Stage 3 - consolidation of new material

Questions:
1. The mulberry tree shown in the figure grew on the plain of the Somali peninsula. Find the peninsula on the map and try to explain the reason why the crown of the tree stretched out so much in the horizontal direction. Attachment 1 .
2. Are there such shadows in your area as shown in the picture? Why? Where in Africa can you see such shadows? Annex 2
3. The assertion is known that the closer to the ocean, the more humid the climate. How do you then explain the presence of the Namib coastal desert in Africa (show it on the map). Describe its climate. Appendix 3
4. In the Namib Desert there is a dwarf tree - velvichia. Determine why this plant has huge hard leaves, and everyone knows that desert plants have small leaves or are modified into thorns. Appendix 4
5. "Kilimangara - shining mountain" translated from the language African people Swahili. Explain why this name was given if the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro are known to be folded rocks without intense shine. What sparkles at the top of the volcano? Annex 5.
6. On what slope (east or west) of the Dragon Mountains and why does it rain a lot? Appendix 6
Next, self-control is carried out on the topic of the lesson: (each student receives a card)

Self-control (put in columns + or -)

Work with these questions at home
Summary of work

Control Last name, first name _____________________________________________
Option 2

A mutual check is carried out (the answers are written on the board behind the map), marks are given for the lesson.
given homework§ 46-47 and questions of self-control
Let's sum up the lesson.
Can be used in class Routing for a student Annex 7

The date: 03.04.2017

Climate of Africa

The climate of Africa is determined by its geographical location - most of it is located between the tropics and is characterized by high values ​​of the total, solar radiation(180-200 kcal / cm 2 per year). Africa is considered the hottest continent. On the northern coast of the Gulf of Guinea and in the Congo depression, the average temperatures during the year are + 25 ... + 26 ° С. Average summer temperatures are high in the north of Sudan, in the Sahara (+30…+ 32°С; in the western part up to + 38°С); in El-Aziziya (Libya) observed the highest temperature on Earth: + 58 ° C. In subtropical latitudes in summer from + 16 ... + 22 ° C. Average winter temperatures at 20 ° C. and y.sh. are + 16°С; in the subtropics - about + 10 ° С.

The climate of Africa is influenced by trade winds blowing from the tropics to the equator . Wet brings air masses to Africa from the Indian Ocean southeast trade wind, dry brings the weather from Eurasia northeast trade wind.

The climate of the coast of the mainland is influenced by warm currentsMozambique and Cape Agulhas, washing the eastern coast of Africa south of the equator, increase and even out the temperatures of the coast; The Canary and Benguela cold currents reduce temperatures and increase the aridity of the western coast of Africa in the tropics. For example, under the influence of the Begel Current, the Namib Desert was formed.

The Drakon and Cape Mountains delay easterly trade winds on the windward slopes, causing redistribution precipitation.

The main circulation process over Africa is the transfer of tropical air by trade winds blowing from high pressure belts (from the tropics) to the equatorial part with low atmospheric pressure.

over northwest Africa installed high pressure- the spurs of the Azores high, from which tropical sea air flows, quickly warms up and does not form precipitation on the Mediterranean coast and in the Sahara, where the Saharan low is formed.

Along the West Coast winds blow from the eastern part of the Azores high. The main source of poor moisture is hidden moisture by fogs and dews.

In northeast Africa from 5° S along the low coast of the Somali peninsula, the southwest monsoon blows, which is directed to India. Rain falls only in the interior mountainous regions of the peninsula. AT East Africa, south of the equator, also receives very little rainfall.

AT Saharan the minimum overflows the continental tropical air from the South African maximum, which is established in the Southern Hemisphere in winter over South Africa in tropical latitudes. Pressure rises over the Sahara (Sahara High), dry; circulation unfavorable for precipitation persists along the Atlantic coast.

to the eastern slopes of the Etbay Ridge and the Ethiopian Highlands, poor precipitation from the Red Sea is brought by northeast winds flowing from the Arabian Peninsula.

In East Africa, south of 5 ° S, precipitation falls mainly on the eastern slopes of the plateau, as well as in its western mountainous regions, where monsoon flows from the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet.

In South Africa trade winds from the Indian Ocean bring abundant rainfall to the eastern slopes of Madagascar and the Drakensberg Mountains up to subtropical latitudes.

Africa is located in seven climatic zones: equatorial (humid and hot season throughout the year), two subequatorial (warm all year round, two seasons - summer rainy and winter dry), two tropical (continental, marine), two subtropical (wet warm winter, dry hot summer).

Along the western edge of South Africa from 6° S up to the subtropics, the anticyclonic circulation of the eastern margin of the South Atlantic High operates, which is especially stable in tropical latitudes, where exceptional aridity persists.

According to seasonal patterns of circulation, temperature and precipitation on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea and in the Congo Basin, allocate constantly humid and hot equatorial type of climate(from 5-7° N to 2-3° S). Here is the wettest place in Africa - Debunja (at the foot of Mount Cameroon, 9655 mm of precipitation per year); in other areas falls at least 1500 mm.

In the north and south equatorial climate gradually becomes subequatorial(equatorial monsoons) with summer wet and winter dry seasons. The duration of the latter increases from 2 to 10 months, and the annual precipitation decreases from 1800 mm to 300 mm. North of 20°N and south of 18° S The climate of Africa is tropical, in the Northern Hemisphere it is desert, very dry.

In the Sahara, precipitation drops to 100 mm per year or less; Eastern Sahara is the driest region in Africa(10-20 mm of precipitation per year).

Along the west coast, the climate is oceanic desert with high relative humidity air. In the southern hemisphere in the tropics three sectors :

• in the west - oceanic desert,
• in the center - continental moderately arid and arid,
• in the east - sea trade winds with a summer maximum of precipitation.

The outskirts of Africa lie in subtropical climatic zones.Mediterranean climate in northern Africa: on the windward slopes of the Atlas - typical,in its hinterland and on the coast of Libya and South Africa- semi-desert and desert.South Africa has a typical Mediterranean climate; observed on the southwestern windward slopes of the Cape Mountains; subtropical monsoon with a summer maximum of precipitation -on the southeastern edge; semi-desert and desert -in the hinterland.

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Relief and geological structure,surface waterNatural resources

see also

Africa. Physical and geographical position. History of research and development