Test: Asia- Climate, Natural Vegetation and Population - 2 - UPSC MCQ

The Tundra Region in Asia spans the entire continent from east to west along the Arctic Ocean. It includes the lowlands between the Arctic Circle and 70°N. The southern limits of this region roughly coincide with the July isotherm of 50°F (10°C). Winters in the Tundra Region are long, dry, and snowbound, while summers are short but warm enough for some snow to melt. The region experiences a relatively thin snow cover due to scarcity of precipitation, allowing the subsoil to be deeply frozen during winter.

East Siberia, located between 50° and 70°N latitudes, is a large territory in eastern Siberia, including the lower basin of the Lena River and the area to the north of Lake Baikal. It is mostly a mountainous region characterized by long, dry winters, and among the coldest temperatures in the world. Verkhoyansk, a city in East Siberia, has once recorded a temperature of -80°F (-62°C). The summers in East Siberia are warm, with temperatures varying between 50°F and 70°F (10°C to 20°C). The region experiences the world's largest temperature ranges, reaching up to 50°C at several stations.

The Tropical Monsoon Region in Asia encompasses a vast territory in southern and southeastern Asia, including the Indus-Ganga lowlands, the Indo-Chinese peninsula, Myanmar, and Thailand. This region experiences monsoonal conditions, characterized by seasonal reversal of wind systems and associated rainfall regimes. Most of the region, from India to China and Japan, receives rainfall during the summer months. In winter, conditions are reversed, and dry winds blow from the high-pressure region of East Siberia outward.

The Equatorial Region in Asia includes areas lying between 10°N and 10°S in Indonesia and Malaysia. It is characterized by high, seasonally well-distributed rainfall and a small range of temperature, except in locations where the seasonal shifting of the trade winds leaves a part of the year relatively drier. The Equatorial Region experiences a typical equatorial climate, with abundant rainfall throughout the year.

The Central Asia: Aral-Caspian Region in Asia resembles the Iran-Sind region in terms of dryness and large temperature ranges. However, it differs in topography, as it is mostly lowland drained by the historic Amu and Syr rivers. The region experiences extreme temperature ranges (both daily and annual) and dryness due to the influence of a large body of cold, continental, and outflowing dry winds over Asia's landmass. While the western section of this region receives some winter rain influenced by Mediterranean influences, the eastern part receives most of its rainfall during the summer.

The Tropical Desert Region in Asia lies essentially in the trade wind belt, outside the monsoonal and Mediterranean influences. It is characterized by excessive temperature ranges and dryness. This region experiences arid desert conditions with sparse vegetation and limited rainfall. It is influenced by the trade winds, which result in hot and dry weather throughout the year.

The Tropical Monsoon Region in Asia, which encompasses a vast territory from India to China and Japan, reflects monsoonal seasonality. However, the precise locations within this region can exhibit variations in the seasonal distribution of rainfall. The range of temperature is smaller compared to other regions, and the seasonal rainfall depends on the exact location in relation to the summer or winter monsoons.

The Temperate Monsoon Lands of East Asia, which include eastern China, North Korea, South Korea, and Japan, receive rainfall in winter caused by southeasterly winds that pick up moisture from the Japan Sea, East China Sea, and the adjoining seas. This region exhibits a monsoonal trait where summers are generally wet, and winters are dry.

The Mediterranean Region in Asia, which includes the territory bordering the Mediterranean from Turkey to Syria, Israel, and Iraq, has a climate that is transitional between the trade wind deserts, such as Arabia, and the zone of prevailing westerlies. Winter temperatures in this region fall below 50°F (10°C), and in summer, they rise above 75°F (24°C). The precipitation in this region is mostly in winter, brought by cyclonic storms emanating from the west.

West Siberia is the region located west of East Siberia, extending all the way to the Ural Mountains. Compared to East Siberia, West Siberia experiences higher temperatures, and there is a little more rainfall, which is a clear evidence of the Pacific influence. The ground remains frozen in winters, and during the brief summer, thaws occur, causing the formation of swamps and marshes in the region.