World map with temperate zones highlighted in red

In geography, temperate latitudes of the globe lie between the tropics and the polar circles. A season is one of the major divisions of the Year, generally based on yearly periodic changes in Weather. Spring is one of the four Temperate Seasons Spring marks the transition from Winter into Summer. Summer is one of the four Temperate Seasons Summer marks the warmest time of year with the longest days Autumn (also known as fall in North American English) is one of the four Temperate Seasons Autumn marks the transition from Summer Winter is one of the four Seasons of Temperate zones Calculated astronomically, it begins on the Solstice and ends on the Equinox The Tropics are centered on the Equator and limited in Latitude by the Tropic of Cancer in the northern hemisphere at approximately 23°26' (23 The dry season is a term commonly used when describing the weather in the Tropics. A wet season or rainy season is a Season in which the average Rainfall in a region is significantly increased Geography (from Greek γεωγραφία - geografia) is the study of the Earth and its lands features inhabitants and phenomena Latitude, usually denoted symbolically by the Greek letter phi ( Φ) gives the location of a place on Earth (or other planetary body north or south of the The Tropics are centered on the Equator and limited in Latitude by the Tropic of Cancer in the northern hemisphere at approximately 23°26' (23 A polar circle is either the Arctic Circle or the Antarctic Circle. The changes in these regions between summer and winter are generally mild, rather than extreme hot or cold. However, a temperate climate can have very unpredictable weather. In regions traditionally considered tropical, localities at high altitudes (e. g. parts of the Andes) may have a temperate climate. The Andes form the world's longest exposed Mountain range. They lie as a continuous chain of highland along the western coast of South America. The north temperate zone extends from the Tropic of Cancer (at about 23. For the novel by Henry Miller, see Tropic of Cancer (novel. The Tropic of Cancer, or Northern tropic, is one of five 5 degrees north latitude) to the Arctic Circle (at approximately 66. The Arctic Circle is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. 6 degrees north latitude). The south temperate zone extends from the Tropic of Capricorn (at approximately 23. For the novel by Henry Miller, see Tropic of Capricorn (novel. 5 degrees south latitude,) to the Antarctic Circle (at approximately 66. The Antarctic Circle is one of the five major circles (or parallels of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. 5 degrees south latitude. )

Within these borders there are many climate types, which are generally grouped into two categories: maritime and continental. An oceanic climate (also called marine west coast climate and maritime climate) is the Climate typically found along the west coasts at the middle latitudes Continental climate is a Climate that is characterized by Winter Temperatures cold enough to support a fixed period of Snow cover each Year

The maritime climate is affected by the oceans, which help to sustain somewhat stable temperatures throughout the year. In temperate zones the prevailing winds are from the west, thus the western edge of temperate continents most commonly experience this maritime climate. Such regions include Western Europe, and western North America at latitudes between 40° and 60° north (65°N in Europe). Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe '

The continental climate is usually situated inland, with warmer summers and colder winters. Heat loss and reception are aided by extensive land mass. In North America, the Rocky Mountains act as a climate barrier to the maritime air blowing from the west, creating a continental climate to the east. Mountain peaks of the Rocky Mountains The Rocky Mountains, often called the Rockies, are a Mountain range in western North America. In Europe, the maritime climate is able to stabilize inland temperature, because the major mountain range - the Alps - is oriented east-west (the area east of the long Scandinavian mountain range is an exception). The Scandinavian Mountains in Swedish Skanderna, Fjällen ("the Fells quot or Kölen, and in Norwegian Kjølen,

The majority of the world's human population resides in temperate zones, especially in the northern hemisphere because of the mass of land.

For the history of the term, see geographical zone

See also

• Middle latitudes
• Habitat (ecology)
• Subtropical
• Geographical zone