Understanding Climates: A Comparison of Two Places

Climate of Place A

For this exercise, choose two places in the world including US states (NOT Connecticut), continents and/or countries (no cities; they can have unique “microclimates”). Describe the predominant climates of these places in Paragraphs 2 and 3. Do not choose any of the following very small countries: (Andorra, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City, Palau, Nauru, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Seychelles). 

For details, use the Getis text, including the Glossary, for climate terms and definitions. Look elsewhere in texts or online for descriptions of climates within places. National Geographic, Google Scholar, NOAA, US State Dept country descriptions, USGS descriptions, state or country tourism boards are all acceptable sources. Do Not use sources like Wikipedia, Reddit etc. as they are not expertly edited. 

Paragraph 1: Introduction 
Explain what climates are and how they are present in our lives. Narrow this down to two places that will be described in more detail. In this first paragraph try to begin with a broad perspective, then focus it down to the final sentence and your 2 locations. 
•• What are climates? 
•• When one visits a place what types of climates are noticeable? 
•• How do climates help define a place? 
•• End the first paragraph with a thesis statement/sentence that begins with something akin to “This discussion will review 2 climate regions and how it impacts our definition of place.” 
 

Paragraph 2: Climate of Place A 
Write a paragraph(s) explaining the climate of one place, including the following: 
Using the K?ppen Climate lettering system provided in the text, explain the major climate found there providing at least 2 letters of detail.1 
Include descriptions of what this climate classification actually means in “common terms” and provide explanations of weather processes that explain this climate zone. For example, “The Dwd climate in the 1 This means, for example, don’t just say a “C” climate, but provide at 1 or 2 more letters of detail, so a “Cw” or “Cfa” climate. An exception is an “H” climate, it only has 1 letter, but much more variation, so provide this detail in your written description. Remember, you must use the lettering system from the textbook. 

Lake Baikal region of Russia is a subarctic climate in part because of its latitude. This means the region has very cold winters, somewhat mild, but not hot summers and precipitation year round. It is warmer in the winter than most of Southern Siberia because the large lake moderates the cold air. Most of the precipitation in winter is in the form of snow due to the air temperatures.” (obviously, do not use this example) 

Image(s): 
Embed 2 photos from online sources (1 photo to illustrate Climate A and 1 photo to illustrate Climate B) to augment your discussion. Include these in the document to support your text and make sure they are labeled/titled. Please do not include a photo of anything personal.
 
Paragraph 3: Climates of Place B  

Write a paragraph(s) explaining the climate of one place, including the following: 
• Using the K?ppen Climate lettering system provided in the text, explain the major climate found there providing at least 2 letters of detail (see Footnote 1).
• Include descriptions of what this climate classification actually means in “common terms” and provide explanations of weather processes that explain this climate zone. For example, “The Dwd climate in the Lake Baikal region of Russia is a subarctic climate in part because of its latitude. This means the region has very cold winters, somewhat mild, but not hot summers and precipitation year round. It is warmer in the winter than most of Southern Siberia because the large lake moderates the cold air. Most of the precipitation in winter is in the form of snow due to the air temperatures.” (obviously, do not use this example) 

Paragraph 4: Conclusion 
In a short paragraph, conclude the essay beginning with a sentence stating “In conclusion …..”. This is where you generalize your previous discussion and emphasize anything significant. In particular, mention again how climates help define places. 

Reference Section 

Any time you use someone else’s words, ideas, images – anything created by someone else – it is absolutely necessary to give them credit. So, if you list anyone else’s definition or comments in this discussion, and/or if you include someone else’s image, then please list who they are and what is the source location.