Theory question 203
Climate(a) With the aid of diagram, describe the Greek system of climatic classification. (b) Identify three criticisms of the Greek system of climatic classification.
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(a) The Greeks divided the earth into three zones by temperature (sun's angle/latitude): Torrid zone between the tropics (23½°N-23½°S), always hot; Temperate zones between the tropics and the polar circles (23½°-66½°) in each hemisphere, moderate; Frigid zones from the polar circles (66½°) to the poles, always cold. Diagram of a globe with the five belts labelled.
(b) Based on temperature only, ignoring rainfall, pressure, winds and humidity; does not give figures (not quantitative); ignores the effect of altitude, ocean currents, continentality and relief (e.g. cold highlands in the tropics); too broad, very different climates fall in one zone; the torrid zone is not uninhabitable as they believed; boundaries rigid.
Draw the zones on a circle with latitudes.