Class-10 (Social Studies) Unit-6 Our Earth (all)

 

Unit-6
Our Earth

 

6.1 Climates of the World

Climate and Weather

 Climate:

Ø Climate is an average atmospheric condition of a particular area over a long period.

Ø It remains more or less same at least for 30 years.

Ø It determines people’s lifestyle and vegetation’s nature largely.

Ø The major determinants or factors affecting climate are: Altitude, Latitude, Distance from the sea, Wind direction, Natural vegetation, Ocean current, Mountain presence, Soil, Relief aspect (Slope of Land)

Weather

Ø Weather refers to general atmospheric condition of a place over a short period of time.

Ø It changes frequently and may differ even in a small area.

Ø  it is determined by the factors such a temperature, air, pressure, wind, humidity and so on. 

Climate differs from Weather in following ways:

   1. Climate refers to generic atmospheric condition whereas weather refers to the present atmospheric condition.
2. Climate is what we expect in a particular season but weather is what we experience at a particular time or day.
3.  Climate remains same for a long period but weather changes moment to moment.
4. Climate is determined by the factors like latitude, altitude, slope of land, wind direction, ocean current, distance from the sea etc whereas weather is determined by the factors such as rainfall, temperature, air pressure, humidity etc. 

Factors Affecting(determinants) the Climate:

LAND FORMS

1.     L=Latitude

2.     A=Altitude

3.     N=Nature of Wind

4.     D=Distance from the Sea/Ocean

5.     F=Forest/ Natural Vegetation

6.     O=Ocean Current

7.     R=Relief aspect/Slope of land

8.     M=Mountain Presence

9.  S=Soil

1. Latitude: Temperature range increases with the distance from the equator. Also, temperature decreases as you  move away from the equator. This is because the sun rays are dispersed over a larger area of land as you move away from the equator. This is due to the curved surface of the earth. In addition, polar regions are colder because  the sun rays have further to travel compared to place on the equator.
   
   
   
2. Altitude: Temperature  decreases with height. The air is less dense and can not hold heat as easily. Additionally, higher altitude are further away from the earth's surface. As the altitude increases by 165 meter above the Sea level, the temperature decreases by 1˚Celsius. If altitude increases, temperature decreases, and if altitude decreases, temperature increases.
   
   
   
3. Mountain Ranges/ Presence of Himalayas: In summer, monsoon wind coming from the Bay of Bengal is obstructed by the high mountain ranges in the northern side of Nepal. Therefore, the southern slopes (windward side) get adequate rainfall whereas the northern slopes (leeward side) remain dry. Such places are called rain shadow areas.
4. Distance From the Sea: The places nearer to the sea experience mild climate because of the regular exchange of sea breeze and land breeze, but the farther places have extreme climate due to poor or no exchange of the breezes.  Land heats and cools faster than the sea. Therefore, coastal areas have lower temperature range than those areas in land.
5. Ocean Currents:  Ocean currents have a moderating affect on climate. Ocean currents can increase or reduce temperatures. The  Gulf Stream is a warm  ocean current in the North Atlantic flowing from the Gulf of Mexico, northeast along the U.S. coast, and from there to the  British Isles.
6. Nature of Wind/ Wind  Direction

• Nature of wind affects the climate in the sense if the dry wind blows and passes through a particular region, the climatic condition of such region remains dry.
• Just similarly, the warm wind containing water vapour causes plenty of rainfall where it blows.
• Thus, the same place might experience different types of climate in different phases of time as the wind varies.

    7.Natural Vegetation/Forest

•      Vegetation affects local climatic condition. Area having trees and other plants has comparatively wet climate than an area not having presence of vegetation.

•      Therefore, the forest region receive more rainfall than bare rocky region.

•      The forest make the land protion damp for longer period and help cause rainfall even in dry period.

8. Relief Aspect/ Land Relief:

•      Slope of the land that faces the seas or oceans will have damp climate and its opposite side will have reverse climate.

•      Just similarly, the slope of the mountain facing the sun and wind(windward side) experiences warm climate and its back(leeward side) the cold climate. Example, Pokhara and Manang- Mustang

9. Soil

•      The quality(colour) of a soil also affects the climate of a place.

•      It is observed that places having BLACK SOIL have warmer climate and those having white soil have cooler climate.

•      There is extreme and dry climate in area of bare rock and sand.

•      The climate of Thar desert is dry and extreme rather than the climate of Bengal.

 Besides, some non-geographical factors such as population, pollution etc also bring change in the climatic pattern.

Some Key Points:

Ø Climatic Region: A climatic region refers to the large area having similar climatic pattern and nature of vegetation. The world has been divided into 3 Climatic Zones and 12 major Climatic regions.

Ø The Manang and Mustang Valleys of our country is dry because they are in leeward slope. Therefore, they remain dry and cold throughout the year.

Ø Nepalgunj is Banke district and Taplejung in Taplejung district lie almost in the same latitude but Nepalgunj is hotter than Taplejunj because there is an attitudinal variation between the two places that Nepalgunj lies at a low altitude lying in the Terai region of our country near to sea level but Taplejung lies in higher altitude.

Ø Nepal lies in Tropical Monsoon Climatic Region.

Ø People of Biratnagar feel difference in climate in Taplejung because Taplejung lies in higher altitude causing cold climate than Biratnagar.

Ø The climate in all parts of Nepal is not similar due to altitudinal difference.

Ø Nepal is considered to be the country of climatic diversity because Nepal’s land topography (altitude) varies from place to place and due to distance from the sea, too.

Ø It is hotter in Dhangadhi than in Biratnagar because both Dhangadhi and Biratnagar lie in the same altitude but Biratnagar is closer to sea whereas Dhangadhi is closer to the desert.

Ø Forests maintain pleasant weather condition of a place providing fresh  air. Area having trees and other plants has comparatively wet climate and they receive more rainfall than bare rocky region.

Ø Although Nepalgunj and Jhapa are located at the Terai region, Nepalgunj is hotter than Jhapa in Summer because both of them lie in the same altitude but Nepalgunj is closer to the desert where as Jhapa is closer to the sea.

Ø Thought Nepal lies in monsoon region, the climate and natural vegetation greatly vary due to the variation in altitude from the south to the north.

Ø Altitude is taken as one of the influencing factors in determining climate because in every 160-165 meters of height 1˚C temperature increases.

# Mention the characteristics of Latitude and it is not effective in reference of the climate of Nepal, why? Give reasons.

Characteristics of Latitude:

§  Latitudes run from east to west in the earth.

§  They run parallel to each other.

§  They determine the climate of the places in the earth.

§  The 0˚ latitude called equator is the hottest line of latitude  among all.

# Latitude is not effective in reference of the climate of Nepal because:

•      Nepal’s climate is mainly determined by altitude since there is greater variation of height here.

•      Nepal is a small country streatching just  over the few latitudes( from 80˚ to 88˚) which can not cause big variation of climate.

•      Nepal falls in the tropical Monsoon Climate region in the Tropical Zone where climate in general is not extreme.

•      Distance from the sea also causes climatic variation in Nepal.

6.2 The Tropical Zone

 

1.     The Tropical Zone

·        The area that lies between 0˚ to 30˚ N?S latitude comes under the Tropical Zone.

·     Though the zone has hot climate in general, the degree of hotness and rainfall varies in different parts of this zone.

·        The Tropical Zone can be divided into 4 broad categories:

A.   The Equatorial Climatic Region
1. Location and Area:

• The region lies in between 0˚to 5˚ N/S latitudes from the equator.
• Area covered are: the Amazon River Basin (Brazil), Congo/Zaire Basin and Guinea Coast (Africa), Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapur, Philippines, New Guinea(South-east Asia) and others around them.

2.     Climatic Features:

• The temperature is hot, wet and humid throughout the year.
• There is no seasonal change(no winter) since the sunrays fall perpendicularly.
• The length of days and nights are almost equal throughout the year.
• Heavy rainfall takes place due to high heating causing the days and nights equal in length.
• The average annual temperature reaches upto 27˚C and yearly rainfall exceeds 200cm.

3. Natural Vegetation

• There are dense evergreen rainforests.
• Three layers of plants  such as emergent trees, tall trees and under growth plants are found.
• A Canopy can be defined as the uppermost branches of trees in a forest. It forms more or less continuous layer of foliage. It is the topmost layer of bioactivity in a forest setting.
  
  
  
• The tropical rainforest found in the Amazon River Basin in Brazil is known as Selvas.
• The other vegetations like shurbs, woody creepers and flowering plants grow in the lower surface of the land.
• The major vegetations include sal, rubber, bamboo, mahogany, ebony, tree creepers etc.

4.     Wild Life

• The dense forest provides the habitat to different animals, birds, insects, reptiles, and amphibians.
• The major wild species such as bear, chimpanzee, leopard, gorilla, snake, python, crocodile, monkey, squirrels, humming birds, mosquito, hippo, okapi, lemur, frog are common.
• Birds and insects are multi-coloured.
• It provides habitat for about 90% of the wild lives of the world. Hence, it is popularly known as ‘a Home of Common Species’.

5.     People and Socio-economic Activities

•  The population density is very low in this region.
• The tribal people of Congo/Zaire basin known as Pygmies; Amazon basin as Red Indian; and Papua New Guinea basin as Huli generally follow primitive nomadic lifestyle by hunting and collecting fruits or roots.
• They use traditional weapons such as bow and arrow, blow pipe, spear etc for hunting.
• The native people in Indonesia are Semnag, Dayak and Sakai.
• However, the people living in South-east Asian countries are advanced and modern due to European influence and pleasant climate.
• Rubber cultivation in Malaysia and Indonesia, Oil palm in Malaysia, Nigeria & Zaire, sugarcane in Cuba, Cocca in Ghana in large scale.

 
B.   The Tropical Grassland  (Savanna) Climatic Region
1. Location and Area:

•  This climatic region prevails between 5˚C to 20 ˚C  N/S Latitude of the earth.
• It includes places like African Savanna (Sudan, Senegal, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania), Llanos (Venezuela), Campos (Brazil), Orinoco Basin (South America), and interior part of northern Australia (Queensland) etc.
• It is also called Sudan Type of Climate because it is mostly found in Sudan.

2.   Climatic  Features

• It  experiences two climatic conditions: Summer and Winter.
• Summers are extremely hot and Winters are warm.
• The rainfall ranges from 50cm to 150cm.
• The conventional rainfall takes place in summer due to the ‘Trade Wind’ but winter is dry.
• An average temperature in Summer is about 32˚C and in winter is 21˚C.

3.Natural Vegetation

• The natural vegetation is developed with long and coarse grasses, scrubby bushes shrubs and some and some scattered trees.
• Due to scanty rainfall and dryness, the region doesn’t support the growth of dense forest.
• The grasslands are known differently in various parts of the world such as Llanos in Venezuela, Campos in Brazilian Highlands, Savanna /Parkland in Central Africa and Tropical Grassland in Australia.

2.     Wild Life

• Savanna Region is called ‘the Zoo of the World’ because it is the habitat of thousands of carnivorous animals like lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, hyena etc and herbivorous animals like deer, gazelle, antelope, zebra, giraffe, elephants, bull, hippo, rhino etc, several birds and other rare species of the world.
• It is a bar less zoo.
• Therefore, it is also known as the ‘zoo of the world’.

3.     People and Socio-economic Activities

• Most of the people in region spend a nomadic(having no fix settlement/ gypsy) pastoral life. This climatic region is also known as ‘Land of Big Games’ or ‘Land of Hunting’.
• They practice animal husbandry (cow, goat and sheep) as a main occupation which are used for milk, meat and blood.
• The population density is very sparse.(thinly scattered)
• The tribal groups like the Masai of Kenya and Tanzania, and the Hausa of Nigeria are very nomadic.
• The Masais live in a fenced house called Kraal, made up of the light wooden frames and grass.
• This region is well developed for tourist spot, national parks, wild reserves, many possibilities of research and film shooting activities and so on.

Problems prevalent in Savanna Region:

1.  Poaching
2.  Habitat of wild lives disturbed due to frequent visit.
3.  Lack of grazing land for domesticated animals.
4.  Overgrazing; lack of vegetation (barren land)
5. Soil erosion during wet season and also due to strong trade wind during winter.

 Shortage of water during dry season. 

C.   The Tropical Desert Climatic Region
1. Location and Area:

•      This climatic region extends from 20˚C to 30˚C  N/S Latitude  of the equator/ of the earth.
•       The Sahara, Kalahari, and Namib deserts in Africa; the Arabian, Iranian(Persian) and Thar deserts in Asia; the Arizonian, Coloradan, Californian and Mexican deserts in North America; the Atacama desert in South America and the Great Australian desert in Australia experience this type of climate.
•    It is also called the ‘Sahara type of Climate’ as the entire Sahara Desert (almost similar to the are of USA) is covered by this type of climate.

2.     Climatic Features:

•        The climate of this region is harsh, which is extremely hot and dry throughout the year. (driest climate)
•         The temperature rises up to 49°C in the day, and at night, it drops down to 10°C. In winter morning, it may down up to 0°C too.
•         It gets scanty or no rainfall at all due to effect of the dry trade wind.
•         The average rainfall is just  around 20cm.

2.     Natural Vegetation

•      The growth of natural vegetation is very poor (except oasis) due to dry and high temperature.
•        Only a few desert plants like cacti, clumps of grasses, thorny bushes and date palms grow in the moist places.
•         Plants having thick and fleshy stem, thorny leaves with waxy feature, and long roots are common here.
•    For instance, the root  of an acacia tree may go up to 30m or even more for transpiration.

3.     Wild Life

•    The main animals are desert fox, desert rat, sand cat, snake, lizard, hyena, gazelle, donkey, kangaroo, jackal, camel etc.
•     Many animals live in the burrows, roots or shade of the plants in the day.
•    Since camel is used as ‘beast of burden’ and means of transportation in the desert region of the tropical zone, it is known as the ship of the desert. It stores water in its hump and can easily walk in the sand due to its broad feet.
•     Some animals like addax never drink water, but obtain water from their food.
•     The animals like beetle and scorpion can tolerate maximum heat than other animals.

4.     People and Socio-economic Activities

•          The desert dwellers have difficult lifestyle because of the extreme climatic condition and hence sparsely populated.
•          About 5% world population settles in this region with their nomadic life.
•     Some indigenous tribes like Bushman in Kalahari, Bedouins in Arabian desert, Tuareg in Sahara Desert and Aborigines in Australian desert inhabit in this region.

       An oasis is a fertile vegetative land area in the desert where water is available and cultivation is possible. It is an area where agriculture is modernized due to use of modern technology. Some people permanently live in the oasis areas and grew food grains, fruits, vegetables and date palms.

D.   The Tropical Monsoon Climatic Region
1.     Location and Area:

•     The area between 0˚C to 30˚C  N/S Latitudes approximately in the eastern parts of the continent falls under this climatic region.
•     The major areas are South Asia (Nepal, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan) and South East Asian (Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia) countries.
•   Besides, Southeast China, East Africa, Central America, Venezuela, Columbia, Southeast Brazil, Northern Australia, and West Indies also experience this type of climate.

2.     Climatic Features

•     This region mainly experiences three sorts of seasons: Summer, Winter and Rainy seasons.
•        Summers are hot and wet and while winter are cold and dry.
•      The average annual temperature ranges around 15˚C  in Winter and 32˚C  in Summer.
•      The seasonal reversal of wind (sea to land in Summer and land to sea in Winter) is one of the major climatic features of this region.

3.     Natural Vegetation

•      The areas with abundant rainfall (200cm above) have evergreen forest, moderate rainfall (100 to 200m)have deciduous forest, and low rainfall (below 100cm) have coarse and tall grasses, thorny bushes and scrubby plants.
•         The seasonal reversal of wind makes a great variation in the patterns of rainfall.

4.     Wild Life

•         The animals, birds and reptiles like deer, rhino, tiger, elephant, lion, leopard, parrot, peacock, crow, sparrow, myna, snakes, lizards, alligators etc inhabit in this climatic region.
•         It is favourable for wild lives where varieties of wild life inhabit as per to varieties of climatic condition and vegetation.

5. People and Socio-economic Activities

•         Densely populated this region is suitable for agricultural production due to fertility of soil, abundant rainfall, high temperature and flat topography.
•            Bangladesh(Jute), Sri Lanka (tea), Malaysia (rubber) and india (Sugarcane)  are the largest producers of different cash crops.
•    People are also engaged in industry and trade, fishing, forestry, mining,  manufacturing and tourism.
•     Around 70% of the total people are  engaged in agriculture making paddy as the principal crop.

 
 
Difference between the Equatorial Climate and Mediterranean Climate

• Equatorial Climate	Mediterranean Climate
  1.    The climate is found in 0˚C to 5˚C  N/S  of the equator.  2.    The climate remains hot and wet through out the year. 3.    Tropical rainforest is found in this region. 4.    People life style is of primitive type.	1.    The climate is found in 30˚C to 40˚C  N/S  of the equator. 2.    The climate remains hot and dry  in Summer and cold and wet in  Winter. 3.    Short and hard trees are found. 4.    Industries are well developed and people’s life standard is high.

  
  
• If you reach in the Savanna grassland of Africa, mention four things that you can enjoy and four problems that you may face there.

I can enjoy the following four things in Savanna grassland:

·        I can enjoy the huge green grassland.

·        I can observe herds of giraffes and other wild animals.

·        I can enjoy the sights of varieties of birds including ostrich and Emu.

·        I can visualize burrowing animals like naked mole rat, dwarf mongoose etc.

Like wise, I may face following problems:

·        I may face environmental hazards like excessive hot weather.

·        I may face wild fire at the grass land.

·        I may face attacks from predators like wild cats.

·        I may suffer form malariya, dehydration and food poisoning.

Difference between the Equatorial Climate and Savanna Climate

• Equatorial Climate	Savanna Climate
  1.  The climate remains hot and wet through out the year. 2.   It is a low pressure belt where the air comes into from its outer belt, rises, cools down and rainfall occurs. 3. The rain falls in the afternoon thunder and lightening. 4.This sort of climate is found in Congo basin and coast of the Gulf of Guinea.	1.The climate remains hot  and almost dry  throughout the year. 2. It is a high pressure belt where air generally goes to equatorial belt. 3. The days are very hot and nights are very cold. 4.It is found both at north and south of equator.

 

6. 3. Temperate Zone

A. The Mediterranean Climatic Region

1.     Location and Area:

Ø This climatic region extends between the latitudes 30˚ to 45˚ N and 30˚ to 40˚ S of the equator.

Ø It mostly covers the bordering countries of the Mediterranean sea in Europe (Spain, Portugal, Southern France, Italy), West Asia (Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Israel), Central Chile ( South America), Central California (America), North-west Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia), South-west Africa (South Africa), South and South Australia etc.

2.     Climatic Features
Ø This region has hot and dry Summer and cool and dry winter.
Ø The dryness in summer is caused by the ‘dry trade wind’ blowing from land and winter is rainy due to influence of the ‘wet westerly wind’ blowing from onshore sea.
Ø Average annual temperature varies form 20˚C to 26˚C in summer and 5˚C to 15˚C in winter.
Ø The annual rainfall ranges from 50 to 125cm.

3.     Natural Vegetation

Ø The Major vegetation of this region  are Mediterranean  shrubs, sweet smelling  herbs and stunted evergreen trees.

Ø Some plants have long wide spread roots, thick spongy barks, and small glossy leaves to adopt long summer drought.

Ø In cool highlands, the evergreen coniferous forest is found.

Ø Notable vegetation are almond, olive, oak, walnut, chestnut, rosemary, lavender, fig, fir, etc.

4.     Wild Life

    Very few wild lives such as deer, rabbit, rodent, bear, antelope, ass, mule, horse, cow, and gull are found due to clearing of the Mediterranean forests for settlement and cultivation.

5.     People and Socio-economic Activities

Ø Only 5% of the world population resides in this region.

Ø People are advanced and practise horticulture, wine production, trade, industry and agriculture in a scientific way.

Ø This region is called ‘the Garden of the  World’ or ‘Orchard Land’ because the citrus(fruit of juicy family) fruits such as grape, citron, lemon, lime, orange, peach, plum, pear, apricot, cherry, etc. and other fruits like almond,  chestnut, walnut, and olive are grown excessively. Around 70% of the world export of the citrus fruits and about 65% of the world’s total wine production comes from this region. This region has availability of favourable climatic condition for producing crops and fruits in both Summer and winter.

B. Temperate  Monsoon Climatic Region

1.     Location and Area:

Ø This sort of climatic region is found  in between latitudes of 30˚ to 45˚ N and 30˚ to 40˚ S of the equator mainly in the eastern margins of the continents.

Ø It includes areas such as North and Central China, Southern Japan and Korea, South east USA, Southern Brazil, South –East Coast of Africa, New South Wales and Southern Queensland in Australia.

Ø Since the largest area of this region is found in china, it is also known as China Type of Climate.

2. Climatic Features

• It has warm and moist summer, and cold and dry winter.
• The summer temperature varies from 20˚ to 27˚C and in winter, it lies somewhere in between 5˚ to 12˚C.
• The rainfall occurs in summer which varies from 75 to 150cm.
• Winter  is dry because the dry breeze blows from the land to sea.

3. Natural Vegetation:

The areas receiving high rainfall have evergreen forests, medium rainfall have deciduous forest and scanty rainfall have shrubs and bamboo (mixed type of vegetation). Mulberry, oak, beech, camphor, etc. are some instances of vegetation grown here.

4. Wild life:

Ø The wild species are similar to that of the Tropical Monsoon Region, but less in number. Some of them are beaver, nightingale, ponies etc.

5. People and Socio-economic Activities

•     It is the densely populated region of the world where one third of the world population reside.
•     People practise diversified agriculture, trade and industry.
•     The chief crops are mulberry, paddy, tea, wheat, barley, maize, sugarcane, soya bean etc.
•        America (cotton),  China (silkworm), and Japan(mulberry).
•     This region is also famous for unique civilization, art, handicraft, and tourism.

C. The Temperate Grassland Climatic Region

1.     Location and Area:

Ø The region extends between the latitudes 45˚ to 60˚ N and 30˚ to 40˚ S of the equator.

Ø Major locations are Southern Russia, Eastern Europe, Central part of North America, Southern part of South America (Argentina), Southeast Australia and Southern Africa.

2.Climatic Features

—  It has severe hot summer and very cold winter.

—  The extremity is caused due to distance from the sea and mountain barriers on the way.

—  The average summer temperature is 22˚C while in winter it drops down below 0˚C.

—  The rainfall varies between 25 to 65cm.

—  This climate is also called ‘continental type of climate’.

3. Natural Vegetation

—  More short, soft, flowery and nutritious grasses due to scanty rainfall for animals  with only some trees in the hills receiving more rainfall.

—  This Temperate Grassland is known by different names in the world such as:

Ø Steppes = Eurasia( Europe and Asia)

Ø Prairies = North America

Ø Pampas = South America

Ø Velds = Africa

Ø Downs = Australia

4. Wild Life

—  Fewer creatures and minimum trees are found due to unfavourable climate.

—  The animals and birds are prairie, dog, rodent, hamster, mole, ostrich, emu, rhea, antelope, donkey, horse, bison, wolf, rabbit, kangaroo, dingo etc.

—  Most of these animals live underground.

5.People and Socio-economic Activities

—  Primary activity of this region is agriculture.

—  The Prairie and Pampas regions are called the granary  or bread basket of the world due to higher production of wheat. These regions are very ideal for wheat cultivation as the soil is very fertile due to rot of the grass. It also receives more rainfall for the growth of maize and cotton as well.

—  The region is also famous for animal husbandry. Argentina ranks first in cow rearing and exports beef whereas Australia rears sheep in a commercial way and exports wool to the world community.

D. the Temperate Oceanic Climatic Region

1.Location and Area:

Ø This climatic region extends between the latitude of 45˚to 60˚ N and  40˚ to 50˚S of the equator.

Ø The major areas include St. Lawrence area of America and Canada, Western Europe, Northern Japan and Korea, Southern New Zealand, Manchuria of China, Chile and Tasmania.

2. Climatic Features

—  Summers are warm and winters are cool.

—  The rainfall occurs throughout the year due to the influence of the westerlies and the temperate cyclones.

—  The annual rainfall ranges from 50 to 100cm.

—  The temperature varies between  15˚C to 20˚C in summer and 0˚C to 5˚C in winter.

—  It is the most suitable and healthiest climate in the world.

—  Such sort of climate is mainly found in the St. Lawrence river area. Therefore, it is also known as St. Lawrence type of climate.

3.Natural Vegetation

—  Mixed type of forest is found.

—  Deciduous forest  is found in the lowland of the extreme southeast.

—  The vegetation are Korean pine, larch, spruce, fir etc. The trees are maple, oak, elm, birch, beech, ash, chestnut etc.

—  High altitude areas such as Manchurian plateau have coniferous forest.

4. Wild Life

§  Mostly fur bearing animals are found.

§  The wild animals are fox, squirrel, beaver, skunk, tiger, bear, wildcat, puma etc.

5. People and Socio-economic Activities

—  People are active, diligent (hardworking), progressive and healthy.

—  Trade, industry and agriculture are major economic activities.

—  The world’s largest manufacturing industries have been established in this region. For instance, Manchuria of China is the centre of iron.

—  They grow crops like barley, oat, wheat, soya bean, potato,  groundnut, sesame, mulberry etc. 

6.4/5 D. Polar/Frigid Zone

Polar Zone : An Introduction
§  Also known as Frigid or Cold Zone.
§  Extends areas from 60˚ to 90˚ latitude in North and South of the equator in both of the hemispheres.
§  The zone is very far from the equator. Due to the inclination of the earth’s axis, sunlight does not reach the surface of this zone in winter and remains dark all the year round.
§  Human life is very difficult due to extreme coldness.

A.   The Siberian (Taiga) Climatic Region
1.     Location and Area:
§  This climatic region lies in the area between 60˚ to 70˚ latitude in the Northern Hemisphere, but not in the south.
§  The major areas are Siberia, Southern Alaska, and Southern Canada etc.
§  It is also known as Taiga in the sense an evergreen coniferous forest called Taiga is found in the northern part of Siberia and Canada.
2.     Climatic Features
§  The summers are short and slightly warm and winters are long and severely cold.
§  The summer lasts just for 4 months and winter remains for 8 months.
§  Most of the water portion remains in frozen state.
§  The rainfall is mainly cyclonic about 40cm annually.
§  The average summer temperature is 8˚C and in winter it goes down up to -20˚ to 35˚C.
3.     Natural Vegetation
§  The evergreen coniferous forest is the main vegetation of the region.
§  Such forest is called Taiga in Eurasia and Boreal in North America.
§  Taiga forest has covered more than 60% of its part.
§  The major types of trees are fir, pine, spruce, maple, cedar, etc.
§  They are cone shaped with short branches and needle-shaped leaves.

4.Wild Life
§  Due to extremity of coldness and shortage of food resources, few animals with thick fur-bearing, short tails and ears are found in this region such as squirrel, beaver, musk deer, minx, lynx, moose, elk, etc.

5. People and Socio-economic Activities:
§  The population is very low and agriculture is unfavourable due to extreme cold and snowfall.
§  The indigenous Americans mostly live by hunting, fishing, trapping fur bearing animals and doing fur trade. They also practice lumbering and making pulp and paper which is used for making toy, furniture, door, window, plywood, matchstick and sport goods.
§  Some people also collect medicinal herbs for trading.
B.   Tundra Climatic Region
1.     Location and Area:
§  This region lies between 70˚to 90˚ latitudes in the Northern hemisphere of the earth.
§  The major locations are Northern parts of Canada and Siberia, Northern Alaska, Northwest Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland), Iceland, Greenland etc.
2.     Climatic Features
§  The climate is severely cold through out the year and the temperature remains below the freezing point.
§  In summer, the temperature is about -2˚ to -5˚C and in winter, it goes down around -35˚ to -45˚C.
§  The winter last about 9.5 months with almost darkness and the summer exits just for 2.5 months.
§  The summer precipitation remains around 25cm annually.
§  It is also known as the Cold Desert Region due to heavily snow falls and frozen as ice throughout the year.
3. Natural Vegetation
—  It is almost barren land with very limited vegetation.
—  Trees and plants cannot survive due to the permanent snow, ice and bitter cold.
—  The northern part has the limited vegetations like mosses, lichens, fungus and sedges.
—  In summer, some flowering plants and herbs  grow but they die in winter.
—  In southern parts, some dwarf trees, and shrubs like willows, birches and junipers are grown.
4. Wild Life
—  Due to severe cold, this region is poor for wild life. Some aquatic and not aquatic animals and birds with dense fur and thick layer fat for warming themselves are such as polar bear, polar dog, musk ox, Arctic fox, reindeer, wolf etc.
—  The fishes like seals and whales, and flightless sea birds like penguin are found in abundance.
5. People and Socio-economic Life
—  The indigenous people living here are: Canada known as Inuits; Alaska and Greenland known as Eskimos and Scandinavia known as Lapps or Saami.
—  They live by fishing and hunting furry animals for food, clothes and shelter.
—  The  Inuits in Summer make a tent-house called tupik by using the skins and bones of seal and other animals. These people live in Igloos in winter.

C.   The Antarctic Climatic Region
1.     Location and Area:
§  This region extends form the latitude 66.5˚ to 90˚ in the Southern hemisphere.
§  Its area is the total continent of Antarctica.
2. Natural Vegetation:
§  Due to extremity of climate, it does not support any sort of vegetation.
3. Climatic Features
ž It is severely cold throughout the year.
ž There is no seasonal change: always winter and temperature at freezing point.
ž The region is dark for half of the year due to inclination of earth’s axis.
ž Both land portion and water portion are frozen and icy.
ž The temperature drops down up to -45˚C or even more. (40km thick layer of ice)
4.Wild Life
ž In the interior part of the continent, no any wild life but on the edge  of the continent, innumerable birds, animals and fish like penguin, seal and others are found.
5. People and Socio-economic Activities:
ž Only scientists, researchers and explorers settle temporarily for research works and discoveries.- a film and documentary shooting centre.
D.   The Mountain Climatic Region.
1.     Location and climatic features:
—  Large portion of landmass lies at the elevation of 1000 meters or more above the sea level.
—  For every 165 meters of height, the temperature decreases by one degree Celsius. It also reduces both in temperature and air with its increasing elevation.
—  Mountain and high plateau areas have peculiar climatic condition.
—  Mountain climate is found mainly in the young fold mountains like the Himalaya, the Alps, the Rockies and the Andes. 

6.6 Climate, Vegetation and Wild Life in the World

Three Broad Type of Forest found in the world:
                         1.Tropical Evergreen Forest
                         2. Deciduous Forest
                          3. Coniferous Forest
 

1.Tropical Evergreen Forest
Climatic Features:
}  Hot and humid condition and an average annual rainfall of 200cm.
Features of Vegetation:
}  Tall, hard and big trees having less branches.
}  Major plants are rubber, saal, rosewood, mahogany, ebony, khayar, simal, etc.
Wild Life:
Big and dangerous animals like tigers, beers, chimpanzees, pythons, rhinos, snakes, crocodiles, leopards, peacocks, monkeys etc.

2.Desiduous Forest:
Climatic Features:
}  Hot and wet summer with an average annual 100-150cm rainfall and cold and dry winter.
Features of Vegetation:
}  The trees of medium height with broad leaves and they shed leaves in winter and produce new leaves in summer and major species are maples, oaks, beeches, walnuts, elders,
}  Chilaune and uttis are common trees of this forest found in Nepal, too.
Wild Life:
}  The major wild animals are foxes, leopard, jackals, monkeys and the birds like sparrows, crows, owls, woodpeckers, etc.

3. Coniferous Forest
Climatic Features:
}  Cold condition with an average rainfall of 50cm.
Features of Vegetation:
}  Cone shaped trees (Taiga Forest) extended in Eurasia of Siberian region and Canada.
}  Soft trees include pines, firs, spores, etc. with soft grasses and the flowery plants.
Wild Life:
}  Animals like musk deer, minks, elks, squirrels, polar bears, polar dogs, rain deer, etc. and birds like penguins, snow geese and duck  type of  birds which migrate to the warmer in winter.

Interrelationship between Climate, Vegetation and Wild life
}  Vegetation and wild life are hugely dependent on prevalent on climatic condition of a place. They are greatly shaped by available temperature, precipitation, topography, and other factors concerned with climate.
}  For instance, many animals in cold climate are fur bearing to prevent cold.
}  Desert plants have long roots to search for moisture deep down the surface.
}  Plants having hot and wet climate have luxuriant evergreen vegetation and plants in snow have needle shaped leave to avoid gathering of snow on them.
}  Thus, vegetation and animals as well as their species, characteristics and survival techniques are determined by the existing conditions in the places concerned.

6.7 North America

§  The world’s third largest continent.

§  Located in between 7˚N to 84˚N latitude and 52˚W to 172˚W longitude.

§   Area is about 2423700 sq. km with its triangular shape.

§  Christopher Columbus discovered the continent unknowingly in 1492 AD and thought it India but later, a sailor named Amerigo Vespucci found out the fact and named it America.

1.     The Western Mountain Region:

Ø The region extends from Alaska in the north to the Panama Canal in the south.

Ø The Highest peak of  North America- Mt. McKinley (6194m) lies in the Alaska of the USA.

Ø The Death Valley (extremely hot and dry valley, 86m below sea level), the Grand Canyon (1800m deep) and the Great Salt Lake (saltier than ocean) remain as natural wonders of the region.

2. The Eastern Highlands Region:

Ø It extends form New found land in the South to Alabama in the south.

Ø St. Lawrence is the busiest river in terms of trade and business.

3. The Central Lowland Region:

Ø It extends from the Hudson Bay in the north to the Gulf of Mexico in the south.

Ø The middle part of the continent is a lowland plain known as the ‘Great Plains’.

Ø It is also known as the Lake Region in the sense it contains a number of lakes.

Ø The Niagara Falls lies in between the lake Ontario and Erie.

Climate and Natural Vegetation

Climatic Features:

—  North America has diversified climate.

—  The southern part has hot climate, but the northern part is cold all the year round. The middle part had extreme climate i.e. very hot in summer and very cold in winter.

v Northern Part of the USA- Tundra Vegetation

v Northern Part of Canada- Taiga Forest

v Central Plain- Prairie Grassland

v South-east and St. Lawrence Area- Deciduous Forest

v Central Southern Part- Tropical Evergreen Forest

v Western Part- Mountain Vegetation

v Eastern Part- Mixed Forest

Economic Activities of North America

—  North America is advanced in terms of economic and scientific working procedure:

—  1. Industries, Mining and Drilling: The North American countries, mainly the USA and Canada, have many iron and steel manufacturing factories. Mining of gold, silver, copper, zinc, asbestos, coal etc. have been well developed. The gas and petroleum have been obtained through drilling to the ground, and are purified through refineries.

—  2. Agriculture: Around 10% of the people are engaged in farming  with the crops such as wheat, maize, potato, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, fruits farming, grapes etc. (commercialized advanced sort of agriculture)

—  3. Animal Husbandry: Animal husbandry is commercially practised in Canada, America and Mexico. They rear pigs, sheep, reindeer, cattle, etc to export meat, milk and dairy products to the world communities.

—  4. Fisheries: The coastal regions are well developed for fisheries. The Grand Banks of New found land in the North Atlantic Ocean is the best location for fisheries.

—  5. Lumbering: People in the northern part practise lumbering. They export logs, wood planks, furniture, paper and pulp. The Taiga forest is most suitable for the purpose.

Eastern part of North America is highly developed or a rich continent because:

—  It is a fertile land which consists of gulf plain, Atlantic coastal plain and St. Lawrence River basins. Thousands of harbours have been established which provide an ideal condition to keep trade relation with different parts of the world. Moreover, this region has equable climate for highly advanced human habitation who have established many industries. The biggest and famous inventions of the world have taken place in this region. In short, people of Eastern part of North America are innovative and intelligent so it is more developed/ or it is a rich continent.

The types of agricultural practices and productions (items of productions) of  the USA are:

—  Rice, sugarcane and cotton are grown in the southeast gulf      

—  Peanuts, fruits, tobacco and sugarcane are grown in the East coast.

—  Cattle and pigs are kept and reared around the great lakes.      

—  Maize, wheat and soybean are grown in the whole central area.

—  Fruits like oranges and grapes are grown in the south east and south west.     

—  Sheep are reared in the west.

A short account on the wildlife of North America: 

—  North America has variety of wildlife including birds, reptiles and other animals. Reindeer, caribou, musk, ox, polar bears, and snowy owls live in the cold north. 

—  The animals like Black bears, deer, minks, moose, and porcupines and birds like Canadian geese, ducks and spoonbills live in the forest of Canada and the Eastern United States.

—  The South Western deserts have a wide variety of lizards and rattle snakes. Squirrels, langurs monkeys and colourful birds are found in Tropical Central America. Alligators live in the coastal water of Far South.

Wheat is greatly produced in Canada. Why? / A short note on Prairies:

—  The centre of the North America Continent from mid-Canada southwards is grassland known as Prairies.

—  It’s very flat, cold in winter, hot in summer and too dry for trees. This vast area is now used for wheat and maize growing and  for cattle rearing. Prairies are suitable for using modern machine, fertilizer and technology.

—  Extensive wheat farming is possible with the help of canal irrigation and helicopter irrigation. Because of this, wheat is greatly produced in Canada.

If you were the inhabitant of Canada and California like Tom and Stouffer, you would also do the same works as Tom Stouffer. Why? Write down with reasons.

—  Tom works for a lumber company. He cuts down trees with a chain saw and they are taken away by large tractors and floated down the river to a pulp mill. Newsprints is prepared by those mills using timber. If I were the inhabitant of Canada (North America) I would do the same because Canada is a country with highest percentage of forest (Coniferous forest) and most of the trees are soft wood suitable for pulp and paper factory. There are pulp and paper factories in many places.

—  Mr. and Mrs. Stouffer grow orange in the desert of California. I would do the same if I were there because the northern Sacramento River is dammed and canals and pipes bring water to the dry south. I would grow many thousands of productive orange and lemon trees and sell the fruits in the coastal cities to the east, the place having great demand of fruits.

Nepal and North America

—  Similarities:

Ø Both are located in the northern hemisphere.

Ø The climatic features and vegetation are same.

Ø Rocky and Himalayan regions have almost similar features of climate, vegetation and life style.

Ø Both follow more or less similar sort of political system especially  the USA and Canada.

Ø Both have likeness in terms of diverse cultures.

Ø Central American countries and Nepal have almost similar types of socio-economic condition with the great prospect of development.

Difference between North America and Nepal

Ø Both are located in different longitudinal hemispheres.

Ø Both experience just opposite days and nights.

Ø Difference in the direction and  name of physical divisions.

Ø Difference in culture, tradition, religion, socio-political awareness and development of science and technology.

Ø Varies in availability of natural resources and their mobilization, economic activities and infrastructural development.

 

6.8 South America

 

    South America

v Location: 12⁰N – 55⁰S Latitudes

v Largest country – Brazil

v Largest city by population – Sao Paulo (Brazil)

v No. of Countries- 12(Independent) and 3 (Dependent)

South America is a “Land of Extremity” (Unique features) because of followings:

1.     Amazon River – the world’s largest river

2.     Amazon forest (Selvas) – the world’s biggest rainforest

3.     The Andes Range – the world’s longest mountain range  (7200 km)

4.     Chile- the world’s longest country

5.     Lake Titicaca – the world’s highest navigable lake with fresh water

6.     Cape Horn – the world’s stormiest and windiest place

7.     Angel Fall (Venezuela) – the world’s highest fall

8.     Atacama – the Driest Desert

9.     Lapaz ( Capital city) – lying at the Highest Altitude (Bolivia)

Physical features of South America:

South America has three major land regions.

1.     The Andes Region:

Ø It stretches from Venezuela (North) to southern part of Chile (south).

Ø It is the longest young fold mountain range in the world (about 7200 km)

Ø Mt. Aconcagua (6960m) is the highest peak of the continent lying in this region.

Ø As it falls in the circum-pacific belt, it is one of the most earthquake affected and volcanic regions of the world.

2. The Eastern Highlands:

Ø It consists of Guiana highland (north) and the Brazilian highland (north east).

Ø Angel falls (the highest waterfalls in the world0, Lake Maracaibo ( largest lake of the continent), Brazil (the richest country in water resources ) and the plateau of Patagonia (a temperate desert) also lie in this region.

3.  The Central Lowland Region:

Ø It extends between the western ranges and eastern highlands covering the major rivers basins (the Orinoco- north, Amazon-centre, and the Parana-Paraguay- south).

Ø Major natural gifts located in this region are the temperate grassland (Pampas), Lake Maracaibo (the largest lake of the continent), the Selvas ( the largest equatorial forest), and the Amazon river basin (the largest river basin)

Climate and Natural Vegetation

•      South America has diverse climate and vegetation. The climate is hot and wet in the northern part and neither too hot nor too cold in the southern part.

v Amazon Basin: Equatorial Climate- Tropical Rainforest (Selvas)

v North (Venezuela): Tropical Grassland Climate- Llanos

v Central Brazil: Tropical Grassland Climate- Campos

v South (Argentina): Temperate Grassland Climate-Pampas

v Atacama: Hot Desert Climate- Desert Vegetation

v Mediterranean Climate: Central Chile- Mediterranean shrubs

v Mountain Climate: Andes Mountain- Mountain Vegetation

Climate of South America:

Ø Most parts of  South America lies in Tropical Zone.

Ø It has hot and wet climate.

Ø The Coastal areas of South America has have mild climate due to influence of sea.

Ø Andes and other highlands have cold climate.

Ø Eastern part of the continent is hotter than Western part of the continent.

Ø ☻Argentina is the leading producer of ‘beef and meat’ in the world because cattle rearing is the main occupation of the people near the pampas grassland which lies in Argentina.

Vegetation of South America:

•      Tropical rainforest is found in the Amazon basin. (The evergreen rainforest of Amazon basin is called Selvas.)

•      Heavy rainfall occurs throughout the year in this region.

•      Pampass grassland is found in Argentina and Uruguay due to scanty rainfall and Llanos grassland (the vast tropical grassland) is found in the Orinoco basin.

•      Due to less rainfall, such places have hot temperature.

•      In Northern Chile and Southern Peru are almost deserts, so vegetations are hardly found.

•      Cash crops: Coffee, Cocaa, and Rubber (Brazil) and Wheat (Argentina)

Pampas and its importance:

Pampas is the temperate grassland found in Argentina. It is important due to following reasons:

       i.            Pampas is a very fertile grassland where wheat cultivation is done in high scale. Therefore, Argentina is the large producer of wheat in the world.

     ii.            Cattle rearing is very good due to warm temperate climate with sufficient pasture lands.

  iii.            Argentina is the leading producer of beef and meat and dairy farming is also flourished here.

  iv.            Argentina is the leading wool producer of because sheep rearing is possible in Pampas.

Economic Activities of South America

There is unequal population distribution due to harsh climate and infertile soil. The major economic activities are:

v Agriculture:

Ø The Pampas, coastal plains and the part of Brazilian Highlands are used immensely for farming such as potato, cotton, oil-seeds and soya bean etc.

Ø Brazil, the world largest exporter of coffee, cocoa  and sugarcane; Argentina, Chile and Uruguay for maize and wheat and Southeast Brazil and Columbia for rice cultivation.

v Animal Husbandry:

Ø People rear cattle, pig, goat, and sheep for meat, milk and wool. Argentina operates the large animal form known as ‘Estancia’ and the cowboys known as ‘gauchos’. It is more popular then even agriculture.

v Industries:

Ø South America has poor industrial development despite of abundant minerals. Brazil has iron, rubber and paper manufacturing industries. Venezuela extracts petroleum from the lake Maracaibo.

v Fishing:

Ø Fisheries are famous in Chile, Peru and coastal areas.

v Tourism:

Ø The Andes and the coastal region attract maximum tourists.

Ø Olympic Games organized in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro also helped in promoting tourism in the continent.

Nepal and South America

•      Similarities:

Ø Both have three broad physical divisions, diverse land structure, climate, vegetation and ecosystem.

Ø Both have diverse culture and many countries are developing in slow pace like Nepal with great prospect of development.

Ø Nepal is similar to Brazil for availability of water resources and natural resources.

Ø Himalayan and Andes regions match each other in the features of climate, vegetation and lifestyle.

•      Differences between Nepal and North America

Ø Located in opposite longitudinal an d latitudinal hemispheres and experience just opposite days and nights.

Ø Nepal and the southern part of the continent experience  just opposite seasons.

Ø Difference in the direction and name of physical divisions.

Ø Difference in size, shape and boundary.

Ø Difference in culture, tradition, level of political awareness, development, infrastructure, climate and vegetation.

 

6.9 Africa

v The Second Largest Continent after Asia

v situated between 37˚N to35˚S latitudes and 17˚W to 51˚E longitudes.

v the area is about 30,24,7000 sq.km. with its triangular shape.

Physical Divisions of Africa

•      Africa is broadly divided into four different physical divisions:

1.     The mountain Regions:

Ø The Atlas Mountain Range (northwest), the Cape Range (south), and the Darkensberg Mountain (southeast) are the major mountain areas.

Ø Mt. Kilimanjaro (5,895m) is the highest peak in Africa.

2.     The Highland /Plateaus’ Region:

Ø Africa is a ‘Plateau of Plateaus’ since it itself is a plateaus of  different height, length, and size through out the continent.

Ø Some important plateaus are the Tademait and the Katanga.

3.     The Valleys and Lakes Regions:

Ø There are two major valleys and several lakes in Africa. The Great Rift Valley is 4285 km long and 3000m deep. The Tanganyika is the deepest  lake in Africa and the longest fresh water lake in the world. The Victoria, also known as Victoria Nyanza is the largest lake of Africa. The Nile River, the longest river (6,670km) of the world.

4.     The Deserts’ Region:

Ø  Africa has several deserts including the largest desert in the world, the Great Sahara.

Ø Sahara has two mountain ranges known as the Ahaggar and the Tibesti in its central part.

Physical Features of Africa:

•      In the east, there is a valley 7000m. long and 3000 m. deep known as Rift Valley.

•      Mt. Kilimanjaro (5895m.) is the highest peak of Africa.

•      Drakensbergs mountain range has been extended in the south east.

•      Nile River (6670Km), the main river of Africa and the longest river of the world, is originated from the Victoria lake.

•      Sahara, the largest desert of the world lies in Africa.

•      Zaire River Valley has a tropical rain forest. 

•      Atlas is the fold mountain of Africa. North and South of equator are the Savanna grasslands in the large area.

South Africa is the richest country in Africa: Four reasons.

       I.            It has many mineral mines like gold, diamond coal, copper, oil etc.

    II.            It is surrounded by ocean and therefore it easy access to all sorts of relations with other countries. (Harbours)

 III.            It learned civilization and got fostered in the field if development due to its colonization by English people in past.

IV.            It has political stability and other requirements for development.

   V.            Fertile soil and favourable climate has blessed this part of Africa.

Major Problems of the continent of Africa:

       I.            Africa is known as the darkest continent of the world which is least developed, too. This region centers following major problems:

    II.            Most of the places are hot and dry.

 III.            Climate is not appropriate for human settlement and cultivation.

IV.            HIV/AIDS is killing active human power.

   V.            Very low literacy rate has caused lack of human resource.

VI.            There is  still lack of peace in many African countries.

Some points to be remembered…

Ø The Nile Valley is densely populated because wheat, barley, maize, millets, cotton, groundnuts and vegetable are  grown in the fertile land of the Nile.

Ø South Africa, a country of Africa, is the greatest producer of gold. (South Africa is the richest country and Zaire is the poorest country  in Africa)

Ø Savanna is the name of the vast areas of grassland stretching roughly 20⁰  north and south of Africa. It lies in both north and south of equator. It is called “Zoo of the World” because it is the habitat of a variety of wild animals like lion, tiger, zebra, deer, jackals etc and the birds like vulture, eagle, hawk etc.

Ø Petrol exporting countries in Africa; Egypt, Libya and Algeria - the richer and  more developed countries of Africa.

Ø Estates are the big agricultural forms which produce the products and things such as, Coffee, banana etc.

Climate and Vegetation

Ø Africa has mostly hot and extreme climate due to the equator passing through the centre.

Ø The Deciduous, Temperate Grassland and the Mediterranean are the major vegetation types grown on the basis of the amount of rainfall.

Ø The equatorial part, mainly in Zaire basin, is hot and wet. It has dense evergreen rainforest.

Ø The northern part has hot and dry climate. It has thorny plants, cacti and some shrubs.

Ø The extreme northwest and southwest experience the Mediterranean climate, and has the Mediterranean shrubs and fruits.

Ø The Savanna region has extreme summers and warm winters. It supports abundant grasses to grow.

Economic Activities of Africa

•      Africa is rich in natural resources. People of this continent involve in agriculture, animal farming and industries. They grow enough food to live on. In just many Savanna regions, where rainfall is scarce and unreliable, the people keep livestock instead of growing crops. Africa is rich in animal wealth. Almost all countries of Africa have domesticated animals. Handicrafts are still a major industry, large scale industries are few. South Africa has gold and refineries, too (mining). The majestic and panoramic landscapes, multi-cultural features and variety of wild live attract millions of tourists throughout the world (tourism). It is a film and documentary shooting hub, too.

Nepal and Africa

Similarities:

Ø Both have diverse physical divisions, climates and vegetations.

Ø Both are rich in art (handicraft0 and culture and natural resources.

Ø Both are rich in tourism aspects.

Ø Living standard and economic activities of remote villages of Nepal and backward countries of Africa are same.

Ø Both of the places have strong beliefs in superstitions.

Differences between Nepal and Africa

Ø Both are located in different longitudinal and latitudinal extensions.

Ø Difference in the name of physical divisions and direction.

Ø Difference in shape, size boundary and deserts.

Ø Nepal and South African countries experience just opposite seasons.

Ø Difference in traditions,  culture, race, way of life and level of socio-economic development.

 

6.10 Natural Disasters

Earthquake

Ø An Earthquake is the vibration of the earth’s surface due to result of sudden release of energy in the earth’s  crust that creates seismic wave. It is also popularly known as Quake, Tremor, and Temblor.

Ø Vertical Quake: The earth makes up and  down (vertical) movement- less destructive.

Ø Horizontal Quake: The earth makes right and left or front and back (horizontal) movement- more destructive.

Ø Hypocenter (focus): The point where an earthquake originates inside the earth’s crust.

Ø Epicenter: the point where the first vibration is felt, vertically above hypocenter.

Ø Seismic Waves: The tremors generated by an earthquake, recorded by seismograph.

Ø Seismology: The science that deals with seismic waves.

Ø Seismograph/Seismometer: the instrument used to measure the intensity, origin, place and magnitude of an earthquake.

Ø Richter Scale (Magnitude):  a numerical unit used to measure the intensity  of an earthquake, named after Charles F. Richter, an American seismologist, who devised it in 1935 which ranges from 0 to 9, where the magnitude above 5.5 is supposed to be more destructive.

Causes of Earthquake

1.     Tectonic Movement: The movement of continental plates found in the crust of the earth may cause the plate sometimes to collide, bend, fracture and overlap to each other resulting an earthquake.

2.     Volcanic Eruption:  During an eruption of a volcano, the magma or molten rocks comes out into the surface from the earth’s crust by creating tremor.

3.     Collapse of Seacoast: when an extended sea coast collapses down into the bed, it creates tremor into the surface of the earth.

4.     Ocean water changing into Vapour Inside Earth Crust.

5.     Explosion of atomic weapons.

Effects of Earthquake

Ø It takes the lives of thousands of people and damages of enormous amount of property.

Ø Buildings and houses fall down due to shaking.

Ø Infrastructures like roads, bridges, industries, dams, etc are destroyed.

Ø Diseases and famine may spread.

Ø People die of hunger and starvation.

Ø A great change occurs on the surface of the earth due to rise and sink of the landforms.

Ø Natural calamities like floods, landslides, storms, and tidal waves occur which cause heavy damages.

Ø The aftermath of the occurrence is vulnerable due to economic crisis, theft, robbery, epidemics, hunger etc.

Safety  Measures for Earthquake

•      Before Earthquake:

Ø Make earthquake resistant construction.

Ø Have some knowledge in first aid.

Ø Turn off the gas, tap, and bulb tightly.

Ø Prepare ‘Jhapat’ bag (emergencies suppliers things)  ready.

•      During Earthquake:

Ø Do not panic and rush here and there.

Ø Put off the risky agents.

Ø  Look around and find a safe place.

•      After Earthquake:

Ø Go to safe place after vibration is down.

Ø Stay under hard place like door.

Ø Lean against the wall and protect head and neck.

Ø Do not jump off.

Ø Take control of the situation and move to safe place.

Tsunami

•      A series of ocean waves or tides generated by sudden displacements in the sea or ocean floor is called Tsunami.

•      The term ‘Tsunami’ is derived from Japanese two words: ‘tsu’ means ‘harbour’ and ‘nami’ means ‘wave.’

•      They are the huge seismic sea waves created by an underwater disturbance mainly due to an earthquake in the ocean floors.

Causes of Tsunami

1.     Earthquakes: Major Tsunamis are generated by earthquakes in marine and coastal regions.

2.     Underwater Landslides: Underwater landslides and glacier calving along with earthquake cause Tsunamis.

3.     Volcanoes: Volcanoes eruptions cause a destructive Tsunami.

4.     Asteroid Impacts: Thousands of asteroids (meteors) circling around the sun may drop down into the water bodies of the earth causing Tsunamis. (rare phenomenon)

Effects of Tsunami

Ø Like earthquake, Tsunami also causes the great loss of lives, property and infrastructures.

Ø It also causes severe contamination of soil and water.

Ø It leads to economic crisis, epidemics, hunger, theft and robbery.

Ø  others –see in Earthquake.

Safety Tips for Tsunami

•      In the coastal areas, stay alert for Tsunami warnings.

•      Plan an evacuation (safe) route that leads to higher ground.

•      Never stay near the shore to watch a tsunami come in.

•      A Tsunami is a series of waves. Do not return to an affected coastal area.

•      Know the warnings of Tsunami: rapidly rising and falling coastal water. 

6.11 Map and Map Technology

Map: An Introduction

•      A map is a diagrammatic representation of the whole or part of the earth surface on any flat object in a reduced scale.

Basic Elements of a Map:

Ø Title/Heading: at the top of the map

Ø Scale: below the map

Ø Use of conventional symbols and colours: as per need

Ø Legend/Index: at left or right bottom

Ø North line/ Direction: at top of right corner

Traditional Methods of Map Making

1.     Free Hand Sketching Method: Drawing a map in a clear white paper by looking at an original map.

2.     Use of Carbon paper: Drawing a map by tracing carbon paper over the original map.

3.     Photocopy method: By photocopying through photocopy machine.

4.     Graphing method: Drawing several vertical and horizontal lines with several squares.

5.     OHP(Over Head Project) Method: Drawing a map by displaying picture through a projector onto a thin transparent plastic sheet.

6.     Tracing Method: Drawing the map especially  use of translucent tracing paper.

7.     Template Method: Drawing the map by tracing the lines on the skeleton block that is kept on a paper.

8.     Stencil Method: Drawing a map in a stencil paper with the help of stencil method.

Modern & Practical Mapping Methods

1.     The GIS (Geographical Information System):

Ø a modern computer-based technology of capturing, storing, checking, analyzing the data based information and drawing the map on the surface of the earth.

Ø GIS  was originated in 1968 by Rogar Tomilson, an English geographer. Therefore, he is known as ‘the father of GIS’.

Ø GPS consists of three segments: Space Segment, Control Segment and User Segment

2. The GPS (Global Positioning System):

Ø The GPS, also known as Navstar, is a satellite based navigation system or a computerized device used to obtain the information about the position of the land with the help of satellites.

Ø It can sends data to a GPS receiver in all weather conditions anywhere or near the earth.

Ø The GPS was first launched in 1978 and It works with a satellite based navigation system made up of at least 24 satellites.

3. The GE (Google Earth):

Ø It is the computer software based on a 3D mapping programme from Google that covers the entire globe  from the satellite images.

Ø A location can be searched and viewed by zooming down to individual building connecting from the satellite views from the globe.

Ø This great technique of Google Earth was first developed and released in 2001 AD by Google Inc.

Techniques to Draw an Outline Map of Nepal

Ø First of all, draw a rectangle with 10cm length and 6cm width.

Ø Make 12 grids inside the rectangle as shown in the model box.

Ø Notice 8 major points or peaks present in the northern side from the west to east which will guide you to draw the southern portion as well.

Ø Study the position of map in every box where the map has been spread.

Ø Practise at least 5 times to draw by looking at the box and draw a freehand map without looking at it.

Ø Do not forget to mention the scale, direction (north) and insert the items with suitable index. (Scale: 1cm = 80km)

 

(All Images Credit: Google Images)

Any Queries...?