Climate and Weather on Earth

Does Earth have many different climates?

The heat from the sun strongly affects Earth as it travels through space. Every year, depending on our distance from the sun, the planet goes through different seasons: hot and dry, cold and windy, or wet and warm. But some parts of Earth are far from the sun all year long and are covered in ice in both the summer and the winter. Other regions are almost always deserts, rarely getting rain or cool weather no matter the season.

Look at these different areas of Earth. What can you say about their climates and weather? Click through the slides to find out.

Amazon River

This is the Amazon river, one of the longest rivers in the world. It is located in South America. Look at all the trees in the rainforest. What kind of climate do you think this region has?

Arctic Ice

Here are some ice floes in the Arctic. This region is located high on Earth's North Pole. Why do you think it's so cold all year long?

American Farmland

Each patch of green is a different crop grown on farms in the American state of Utah. What kind of climate is best for growing food?

Pacific Islands

These islands are in the Pacific Ocean. They are covered with lots of plant life. Do you think this water is warm or cold?

Australian Desert

Here's a picture taken above the Australian desert. Do you see any water or plant life? What do you think the climate is like here?