Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Humid
microthermal
(low temperature) climates are found in the high-middle latitudes. Sun
angles are rather low in these areas. As a result, the average temperature of the warmest month
only surpasses 50° F while the average temperature of the coldest month is 27° F or less. The
two principal climates in this group are humid continental and subarctic (see Figure 10-5).
Summertime differences distinguish the two climates. In
humid continental
regions at least
four months of the year average above 50° F. In
subarctic
climatic regions, in contrast, fewer
than four months average above 50° F. Forest is the dominant natural vegetation in both areas.
Lack of land in the high latitudes explains the absence of these climates in the Southern Hemi-
sphere.
Figure 10-5:
The
geography of hu-
mid micro-
thermal climates.
Humid continental
This climate is found principally in Northeastern China, Eastern Europe, and, in North America, the
Northeastern and Upper Midwestern parts of the United States and adjacent areas of Canada. Over
much of these lands, the natural vegetation has given way to farmland. In the United States, dairy
farming and the corn-soy complex (popularly called
the corn belt
) dominate the more humid east,
while wheat and other hardy grains dominate the drier west. Much of the more northerly part of
this realm is a bit too cool for agriculture, so forestry is intact. Coniferous softwoods, highly prized
sources of pulp, dominate and support locally important logging economies.
Subarctic
This climate is generally found immediately north of the humid continental realm. Temperatures are
toocoldfortoolongfordeciduoustreestothrive,andthereforeconiferousforest(called
taiga,
aword
