Temperature and pressure belts of the world are important determinants in shaping the climate on Earth. These belts are primarily formed through uneven heating of the earth’s surface, thereby causing differences in atmospheric pressure. The temperature is varies depending on the earth’s dependence on the position of the sun, but the pressure is determined by interactions of temperature differences, winds, and the rotation of the earth. These belts must be understood to understand the climatic system of Earth. Their impacts go from weather conditions to human activities like agriculture and transportation. In the following section, we discuss the following systems in detail:
| GS Paper | GS Paper I |
| Topics for UPSC Prelims | Temperature belts of the world, Pressure belts of the world, Factors affecting temperature and pressure distribution |
| Topics for UPSC Mains | Detailed study of the global temperature belts, Influence of pressure belts on climatic conditions, Impact of latitude, altitude, and other geographical factors on temperature and pressure variations |
Several temperature belts split the surface of the Earth. These are all dependent on latitude; latitude determines how much sun each region will receive.
The zone falls between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. The zone receives direct sunlight all year round. Thus, it has warm temperatures and high humidity. Thus, countries in this zone experience tropical climates with little temperature variation.
This is the zone between the tropical and polar zones. Here, a moderate temperature prevails with four seasons, along with a change in weather, like warm summers and cold winters. It is therefore described as a transitional zone, lying between the hot tropical regions and cold polar regions.
The polar zone includes areas around both the northern and southern ends of the Earth. The area receives faint light for the most part of the year; thus, the temperature in these areas is very cold, and the area also experiences polar climates where ice and snow cover the land during the winter.
The world’s temperature and pressure are inversely proportional. Where there are temperature differences there exist differences in pressure. It causes the winds to be in motion from high-pressure to low-pressure areas. There are four major types of global pressure belts.
It is here along the equator that the sun heats intensely. Warm air rising into space creates an area of low pressure. The rising air produces heavy rainfall and tropical climates.These countries near the equator have this low-pressure system all through the year.
It occurs around latitude 30° in both hemispheres and is marked by sinking air, thus resulting in areas of high pressure. It is here that the weather is dry and stable. The Subtropical High-Pressure Belt is the region where deserts like the Sahara and Arabian Desert appear because it has no rain.
It is at nearly 60° of latitude that air from the polar regions mixes with warmer air from the tropics. It produces a low-pressure belt, which makes it stormy. Strong winds and heavy rains are common in this area because the places experience them mainly during winter.
It is because at the poles, cold, dense air sinks, forming areas of high pressure. Such pressure system creates very cold and dry conditions. The weather in this belt is characterized by clear skies and little precipitation.
Temperature and pressure belts of the Workd form another very important consideration in determining weather patterns. These again influence the wind system which, in turn, affects everything from rainfall to droughts in various parts of the world.
Trade winds are those winds blowing from the subtropical high-pressure belt towards the equatorial low-pressure belt. These result in rain in the tropical regions. The westerlies blow from the subtropical high-pressure belt towards the subpolar low-pressure belt. These determine weather patterns in the temperate regions, with their rain influences seasons.
The monsoons in the regions of South Asia are influenced by pressure belts. During this time, the equatorial low-pressure belt shifts northward. It creates moist winds from the sea, bringing heavy rain to countries like India. At winter, the belts shift southward, and dry winds terminate the possibility of rain.
World Temperature and Pressure Belts are Active Sometimes they change with the seasons with Earth’s axis tilting. Therefore, during summer time, belts move towards the poles and during winter time retreat to the equator. This shifting is what causes seasonal climate change.
These changes affect agricultural cycles throughout the entire world. In the tropics, belt movement defines the wet and dry seasons’ patterns of precipitation within these regions, which determine planting and harvesting schedules of crops. Within temperate regions, belts often define specific growing seasons for a variety of crops.
Humans have learned to adapt to the temperature and pressure belts of the world. For example, people settle at low-pressure spots for rain-fed agriculture, while high-pressure zones are perfect for dryland farming. In areas where ice or snow govern, such as polar areas, these people depend on fishing and hunting for survival.
World’s Temperature and Pressure Belts are basically responsible for the climate and weather systems of the Earth. These result due to the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface, and it leads to zones of high and low pressure responsible for winds and rainfall. The knowledge of these belts is important in predicting climatic patterns, therefore, in the proper management of agricultural activities, as well as preparing for climate shifts.
| Temperature and Pressure Belts of the World UPSC Notes |
| 1. Temperature and pressure belts form due to unequal heating of the Earth’s surface, affecting global climate and weather patterns. 2. The Earth’s temperature belts are categorized into tropical, temperate, and polar zones, each with distinct climate characteristics. 3. The equatorial low-pressure belt, subtropical high-pressure belt, subpolar low-pressure belt, and polar high-pressure belt create major global pressure systems. 4. Wind patterns such as trade winds and westerlies result from the movement of air between high and low-pressure zones. 5. Pressure belts shift seasonally, influencing weather patterns and agricultural cycles across regions, especially monsoons and growing seasons. 6. Climate and human activities, like agriculture, are significantly impacted by the location and movement of temperature and pressure belts. |
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