Name:_______________________________________________
Examining Climate
Part I: Examining Continent X
Background Information:
Climate involves an average of weather conditions for a large geographical region over a long period of time. It is
described by averages, ranges, and daily and seasonal variations for factors such as rainfall, winds, and temperature. The
great number of possible combinations of factors for different parts of the world makes the classification of climate very
complicated. Climate can be described in terms of average temperature and humidity (amount of moisture).
There are specific factors that influence the climate of a given region. These factors are:





Latitude (this determines the amount of direct sunlight that an area will gain)
Proximity to an ocean (since coastal cities tend to have a more moderate climate due to the influence of ocean
currents/wind)
Elevation above sea level (because the higher altitude cities will experiences overall cooler temperatures)
Global winds (since where weather systems and air masses come from affect climate)
Position relative to mountains (see picture below- a Windward side of a mountain will have more moisture and
precipitation while the Leeward side of the mountain will be dry and arid with little to no moisture)
Pre-lab/Review Questions:
1. As latitude increase, temperature ____________________ because _____________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
2. As altitude increase, temperature ________________________ because _________________
________________________________________________________________________________
3. Locations that are near large bodies of water tend to have __________________ summers and
____________________ winters than location that are inland.
4. Describe what happens to air as it sinks (as it may on the leeward side of a mountain range).
_____________________________________________________________________________
5. Low pressure is associated with __________________________ weather while high pressure is
associated with _______________________________ weather.
Observe the above Continent X and answer the following questions:
1. Using Continent X provide a the basic climate description (temperature and moisture) for each the of the
marked areas on the map:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Explain why the precipitation varies between location H and C. Predict the type of biome that would be
observed at locations H and C. (Review the Background Information if needed)
3. Which letter best represents the climate of our current location in New Jersey? Why did you make this
choice?
4. Compare the locations of letters E and A. How would the climate be different in these locations? List
and explain the factors that specifically cause the areas to be different? Then, identify the biome for each
location.
Part II- Constructing your own continent
Using the above information and previously learned content, students are to create their own imaginary continent
on the separate piece of graph paper. Make the continent large enough to use the entire length of the graph paper.
Your continent needs to include the following:
a. Latitudes labeled from 90°North through the equator to 90°South. (Be sure to label the Tropics of Cancer and
Capricorn as well as the Equator)
b. At least two mountain ranges, one coastal and one in the interior of the continent.
c. At least 2 major rivers, once of which can flow to the ocean and another which should be in the interior of the
continent. Keep in mind that gravity pulls our rivers so they should flow downhill from mountains.
d. Using drawn arrows and textboxes for labels; identify the direction and name of each of our major Global Winds.
e. Create a color key to identify the major biomes of your continent. The biomes that need to be represented at least
once somewhere on your continent are; Taiga/Boreal Forest, Deciduous/Temperate Forest, Rainforest, Desert,
Tundra and Grassland. Shade in the biomes of your continent appropriate to match the key.
f. Blue and red arrows should be drawn within the oceans surrounding the continent to show the paths of warm and
cool ocean currents.
g. You will also need to create and name six cities on your continent. The cities should be:
1) One interior and coastal city (cities 1 and 2)
2) One high altitude city and one sea-level city (cities 3 and 4)
3) One windward side city and one leeward side city (cities 5 and 6)
Be sure to name each city
Analysis and Conclusion questions:
1. Complete the following Data Table on the cities of your created continent:
City Name
Temperature
TWO climatic factors that have the
Ranges of the
strongest influence on the city
City
Precipitation (types
and approximate
yearly totals in
centimeters)
(F°)
2. Based on the locations of the cities on your constructed continent identify the city of your choice to live.
Provide three specific reasons for your choice. At least one reason must relate to an outdoor activity that
you will choose to do at this location.
3. What are some of the problems with building a vacation home in your coastal city? How could climate
change impact your home over the next 100 years? Provide two impacts as well as the cause for these
impacts.
4. You have decided to become a farmer, going truly “green”. Being a vegetarian, you would like to focus
on vegetables and potatoes as the main produce of your farm. Which location on your continent would be
the best location to build you farm? (Provide two reasons for this choice) Which location would be the
worst for your farm? (provide two reasons)
5. Develop a better solution to combating global warming. What are TWO possible solutions that could have
a STRONG impact on decreasing the effects of global warming for the future?