Theory question 204
Climate(a) State Koppen's five major climatic groups
(b) Describe the distribution and major features of the first group in Koppen's classification
(c) Give three reasons why the Koppen's system of climatic classification is the most widely accepted
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(a) A – tropical rainy; B – dry; C – warm temperate (mild winter); D – cold snow-forest; E – polar
(b) Group A lies between about 23½°N and S: Amazon and Zaire basins, Guinea coast, South-East Asia, northern Australia, Central America; every month above 18°C, no winter, heavy rainfall exceeding evaporation; Af (rain all year), Am (monsoon, short dry season), Aw (savanna, dry winter)
(c) Uses simple, measurable data (mean temperature and rainfall) available for most stations; boundaries match natural vegetation; precise numerical limits so any station can be classified; flexible letter system giving many sub-types; useful at different levels of study
Group A: every month above 18°C.