WAEC Geography 1994 Theory question 205

Theory question 205

Climate

Differentiate between the Equatorial and the Tropical continental climates under the following (a) location (b) temperature characteristics (c) rainfall distribution

Show the model answer
Model answer

(a) Equatorial: about 0-10° N and S – Zaire basin, Amazon basin, Guinea coast, Malaysia/Indonesia. Tropical continental: about 10-20° N and S – Sudan belt of West Africa, East African plateaus, Brazilian highlands (campos), llanos, northern Australia
(b) Equatorial: high and uniform, mean about 27°C, annual range only 2-3°C; high humidity. Tropical continental: high, mean about 21-27°C, annual range larger (5-10°C), hottest just before the rains; cooler harmattan nights; large diurnal range
(c) Equatorial: rain all year, about 1,500-2,500 mm, double maxima after the equinoxes, convectional afternoon storms, no dry month. Tropical continental: seasonal summer rain, about 750-1,500 mm, single maximum, long dry season (4-7 months), rainfall decreasing poleward

Explanation

Write each heading as a direct contrast.