Heat zones
Also called: Temperature zones, Heat zones of the Earth · Topic: Latitude, Longitude and Time · NCERT: Class 6, Ch 1 "Locating Places on the Earth"; Class 9, Ch 3 "Atmosphere and Climate"; Class 11, Ch 3 "Latitude, Longitude and Time"
Meaning
Heat zones are belts of the earth marked off by latitude. They show how much heat each belt gets from the sun.
- The torrid (hot) zone runs from 0° to 23½° N and S. The noon sun can be directly overhead here.
- The two temperate (moderate) zones run from 23½° to 66½° N and S.
- The two frigid (cold) zones run from 66½° to 90° N and S. They have the midnight sun and the polar night.
The limits are the Tropics (23½°) and the Arctic and Antarctic Circles (66½°).
Example
Kanyakumari, at about 8°N, lies in the torrid zone. Delhi, near 28°37′N, lies north of the Tropic of Cancer, so it falls in the northern temperate zone.
Don't confuse with
- Climate types (such as Koeppen's): real climate belts do not follow these lines exactly. Altitude, ocean currents and distance from the sea also shape climate.