Meaning of Natural Regions
Igloos, desert camels and forest gorillas are not seen in one place because climate and water change with the place.
Parts of the earth with similar climate, vegetation and animal life spread between certain latitudes are natural regions. All land can be divided into such regions.
Key idea 1 : Why the differences? — Landforms, climate and soil change from place to place in the world. The difference is mainly due to the sunlight and water available. Their availability changes from the equator to the poles, so flora, fauna and human life differ and biodiversity varies.
Key idea 2 : Similarities — Places on different continents but in the same latitude belt show similar climate, vegetation and animals. This becomes the region’s feature. As they stand out by natural factors they are called natural regions. The environment of a region affects all living things including humans.
Key idea 3 : Nine regions — The textbook gives six main regions: Tundra, Taiga, Grasslands (Steppes and Prairies), Hot Desert, Sudan-type grasslands and Equatorial. In addition there are three standing out because of local winds or rain timing: Monsoon, Mediterranean and West European. Water and temperature decide each region’s location and extent.
- Easy : A natural region is set by? — Climate, vegetation, animals.
- Medium : Main cause of differences? — Sunlight and water.
- Exam-type : Total regions (per textbook)? — Nine.
In the figure: Regions change with latitude.
Sun + water = the face of a region.
Natural regions do not follow country borders; they follow climate.
Memory clue: Same climate = one region.
Spot the difference
| Group | Latitude | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Cold | 55°–90° | Tundra |
| Hot | 20°–30° | Hot desert |
| Wet | 5° N–5° S | Amazon basin |
Practice questions
- 1What is a natural region?
- 2What are the main causes of differences between regions?
- 3How are similarities seen on different continents?
- 4How many types are there? Name them.
- 5What decides a region’s location?
- 6Why is the monsoon region treated separately?
- 7How does environment affect living things?
- 8Why does biodiversity differ?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1A latitudinal area of similar climate, flora and fauna.
- 2Sunlight and water.
- 3Same latitude belt gives similar climate.
- 4Nine as listed.
- 5Water and temperature.
- 6Due to specific winds and rain timing.
- 7It affects all living beings.
- 8Because sunlight and water availability change.
Cold Regions: Tundra and Taiga
In freezing cold regions only thick-furred animals survive.
Tundra is a very cold region between 65° and 90°. Taiga is a coniferous forest region approximately between 55° and 65° N.
Key idea 1 : Tundra — In Greenland, northern Canada, northern Europe and northern Asia. Mean summer temperature about 10 °C, winter −20 to −30 °C. Rainfall 25 to 300 mm. Short-lived vegetation: short grass, shrubs, flowers, lichens and moss. Animals: caribou, reindeer, polar bears, foxes, walrus and seals; all have soft thick fur. People hunt and fish, live in hide tents or ice houses and use sledges. Population is very sparse.
Key idea 2 : Taiga — From Alaska to the Atlantic coast and parts of Eurasia. Summer 15° to 20 °C, winter below 0 °C. Rainfall 300 to 500 mm; rain in summer, snow in winter. Coniferous trees: narrow pointed leaves, branches leaning to the ground, light soft wood (spruce, fir, pine, redwood). Animals: elk, ermine, beavers, silver fox, bears. Few people; lumbering and hunting are main occupations with little farming.
Key idea 3 : Taiga is softwood forest — Taiga’s trees have softwood so lumbering is the main work. In the tundra with scarce vegetation fishing and hunting are the main occupations. So natural resources decide human occupations. Nowadays extensive farming is done in the grasslands.
- Easy : Tundra latitudes? — 65° to 90°.
- Medium : Taiga trees? — Coniferous.
- Exam-type : Main occupation of taiga? — Lumbering.
In the figure: Tundra and taiga.
Tundra = lichen; taiga = pine-fir forest.
The tundra has no dense trees; only small plants.
Memory clue: Over 65°, tundra; 55–65°, taiga.
Spot the difference
| Point | Tundra | Taiga |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetation | Moss, lichens | Conifers |
| Animals | Reindeer, polar bear | Elk, beaver |
| Occupation | Hunting, fishing | Lumbering |
Practice questions
- 1Where is the tundra region?
- 2Describe the tundra climate.
- 3State tundra vegetation and animals.
- 4State taiga’s latitude and climate.
- 5State features of taiga trees.
- 6Why is lumbering the main occupation in taiga?
- 7Why is the tundra sparsely populated?
- 8Differentiate tundra and taiga.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 165°–90°; Greenland, N. Canada, N. Europe, N. Asia.
- 2Very cold; rainfall 25–300 mm.
- 3Moss, lichens; reindeer, polar bear.
- 455°–65° N; rainfall 300–500 mm.
- 5Narrow pointed leaves; soft wood.
- 6Because the trees yield softwood.
- 7Extreme cold and few resources.
- 8Tundra small plants, taiga conifers.
Grasslands, Hot Desert, Sudan and Equatorial Regions
Lions are seen in African grasslands and gorillas in dense forests. An animal’s home depends on regional climate.
Temperate grasslands (30°–55°), hot desert (20°–30°), Sudan grasslands (5°–20°) and the Equatorial region (5° N–5° S) have different temperature-rainfall patterns.
Key idea 1 : Temperate and Sudan grasslands — Temperate grasslands lie in continental interiors at 30° to 55°: steppes (Eurasia), prairies (N. America), pampas (S. America), veld (S. Africa), downs (Australia). Rainfall 400 to 600 mm mostly in summer; animal rearing and wheat farming. Sudan-type savanna lies at 5° to 20°; rainfall 250 to 1000 mm; tall (about 6 m) elephant grass and umbrella-like trees; fast-legged animals with spotted or striped skins such as lion, cheetah, zebra, giraffe and elephant. Dome-shaped huts (kraals); Zulu, Hausa and Masai tribes.
Key idea 2 : Hot desert — At 20° to 30° on the western parts of continents: Sahara, Kalahari, Atacama, Thar, Colorado. Summer temperatures 30° to 45 °C, very low rainfall, very cold nights. Thorny vegetation with narrow oily leaves and thick bark: cactus, sisal, date palm. Animals: camels (days without water), snakes, rats, lizards, scorpions living underground by day. Bedouins, Bushmen and Australian Aborigines rear animals; farming only in river valleys and oases.
Key idea 3 : Equatorial region — 5° N to 5° S: Amazon and Congo basins, Malaysia, Indonesia. Heat and rain all year: 30 °C and 2500 to 3000 mm. Dense evergreen forest; tall hard-wood trees (mahogany, ebony, rosewood). Crocodiles, anacondas and hippos in swamps; gorillas, chimpanzees and hornbills on trees. Humid climate makes litter rot and spreads diseases. Few settlements; tribes like Pygmies build houses on trees.
- Easy : Region suited to camels? — Hot desert.
- Medium : Elephant grass is in? — Sudan savanna.
- Exam-type : Dense evergreen forest? — Equatorial.
In the figure: Regions by latitude.
5 equatorial, 20 desert, 30 grass.
A desert is not always sand; some are rocky or stony.
Memory clue: Hot = thorns + camel; wet = dense + gorilla.
Spot the difference
| Region | Rainfall | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Temperate grass | 400–600 mm | Prairie |
| Hot desert | Very low | Sahara |
| Sudan | 250–1000 mm | Savanna |
| Equatorial | 2500–3000 mm | Amazon |
Practice questions
- 1Name and locate the temperate grasslands.
- 2State features of hot desert vegetation.
- 3Why can a camel survive in a desert?
- 4Why do desert people rear animals?
- 5What protection has nature given Sudan region animals?
- 6Why are trees tall in the equatorial region?
- 7Why do diseases spread in the equatorial region?
- 8Why are carnivores found in grasslands?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Steppes, prairies, pampas, veld, downs; 30°–55° interiors.
- 2Thorny, narrow oily leaves, thick bark.
- 3It can go many days without water.
- 4Little water for farming.
- 5Fast legs and spotted or striped skin.
- 6Because heat and water are abundant all year.
- 7Litter decomposes in hot humid air.
- 8Many herbivores serve as prey.
Monsoon, Mediterranean and West European Regions
In our area rain comes in specific months and farming depends on it. In the Mediterranean it is the opposite: rain falls in winter.
Monsoon regions get rain in a specific season, the Mediterranean in winter, and West Europe all year.
Key idea 1 : Monsoon region — At 10° to 30° N and S: Indian subcontinent, Philippines, West Indies, N. Australia, E. Africa, C. America. Summer 27° to 32 °C; rainfall 250 to 2500 mm in a specific season from the south-west monsoon, and uneven. Vegetation depends on rain distribution: banyan, peepal, teak, sal, sandalwood, bamboo. Tigers, lions, leopards, elephants, peacocks. Many small hamlets; farming is the main occupation.
Key idea 2 : Mediterranean region — At 30° to 40° on the western side of continents: Portugal, Spain, Algeria, Turkey, California, central Chile. Dry hot summer (21°–27 °C); winter 10°–14 °C with rain; annual 500 to 1000 mm. Trees have thick small oily leaves and thick bark: olive, oak, chestnut. Fruit and flower farming; wheat is the staple. The seat of Greek and Roman civilisations.
Key idea 3 : West European region — At 45° to 65° on western parts of continents: Norway, Denmark, Ireland, British Columbia, southern Chile, New Zealand. About 20 °C in summer and 5 °C in winter; rainfall 500 to 2500 mm through the year, from cyclones with the Westerlies. Mild climate; green grass all year; oak, beech, maple, pine. Animal husbandry, dairying; people are industrious, fine sailors and explorers.
- Easy : Winter-rain region? — Mediterranean.
- Medium : Rain all year? — West European.
- Exam-type : Teak is found in? — Monsoon.
In the figure: Three regions by rain timing.
As per the textbook the Mediterranean region was the seat of Greek and Roman civilisations and wheat and its products form the staple diet there. (as per the textbook)
Monsoon = season; Mediterranean = winter; West Europe = all year.
Not all regions get summer rain; Mediterranean summers are dry.
Memory clue: 30–40 Mediterranean; 45–65 West Europe; 10–30 Monsoon.
Spot the difference
| Region | Rain | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Monsoon | In one season | Farming |
| Mediterranean | In winter | Fruits, olives |
| West European | All year | Animal husbandry |
Practice questions
- 1What is the main occupation in the monsoon region and why?
- 2Describe the monsoon region’s climate.
- 3State features of the Mediterranean region.
- 4Why do Mediterranean plants have oily leaves and thick bark?
- 5Why does West Europe get rain all year?
- 6Differentiate the three regions.
- 7What are the people of West Europe like?
- 8Why are these three recognised separately?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Farming; rain comes seasonally.
- 2Hot summer; rain from SW monsoon.
- 3Dry summer, winter rain, fruit, olives.
- 4To conserve water in dry summers.
- 5Cyclones with the Westerlies.
- 6Different rain timing and temperature.
- 7Industrious, sailors, explorers.
- 8Due to winds and rain timing.