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11 Major Climatic Regions of Asia (with

map and statistics)
by Raghav Articles

Some of the major climatic regions of Asia are as follows: 1. Tundra Region 2. East
Siberia 3. West Siberia 4. Temperate Monsoon Lands of East Asia 5. Tropical Monsoon
Region 6. Equatorial Region 7. Central Asia: Mongolian Region 8. Central Asia: AralCaspian Region 9. Iran-Sind Region 10. Mediterranean Region 11. Tropical Desert
Region.
The large variety of climates that prevail in Asia may be grouped into several broad regional types. The regional division adopted here is a modification of Lydes classification
(Lyde, 1938, pp. 125-139). Unlike Koppen and Thornthwaite who apply the statistical
variables in delineating the climatic boundaries, but largely ignore the important
dominant controls in patterning climates, particularly that of relief, and pressure and
wind systems, the basis of classification adopted here is genetic rather than statistical,
and hence the climatic boundaries are generalized rather than precise.
1. Tundra Region:
It spans the entire continent from east to west along the Arctic Ocean and includes the
lowlands between the Arctic Circle and 70N, the southern limits roughly coincide with
the July isotherm of 50F (10C). Winters are long, dry and snowbound; summers are
short but warm enough for some snow to melt. The snow cover, usually not thick due to
scarcity of precipitation, allows the subsoil to be deeply frozen during winter; soil
surface thaws are possible only in summer, when the surface becomes swampy.

2. East Siberia:
Between 50 and 70N latitudes a large territory in eastern Siberia including the lower
basin of Lena river and the area to the north of Baikal lake. It is mostly a mountainous
region (Yablonoi, Stanovoi, Verkhoyansk mountains). The deep interior location and the
sheltering mountains rob the region of the influences of the Pacific and the Atlantic
Oceans. The winters are long, dry and among the coldest in the world. Verkhoyansk has
once recorded -80F. The summers are warm with temperatures varying between 50F
and 70F (20C).
Given these extremes, the worlds largest temperature ranges are found (up to 50C at
several stations). The region thus epitomizes the cold, continental climate. In the
Kamachatka peninsula, the moderating influence of the Pacific keeps the temperature
somewhat higher in winter and lower in summer.
3. West Siberia:
The region is located west of the preceding region all the way to the Ural Mountains.
Temperatures are higher than in East Siberia, and there is a little more rainfall (up to
250 mm annually)a clear evidence of the Pacific influence. The ground remains frozen
in winters, and thaws during the brief summer, causing swamps and marshes.
4. Temperate Monsoon Lands of East Asia:
Most of eastern China, North Korea, South Korea, and Japan are included in this region
which lies entirely north of the Tropic of Cancer. Summers get rainfall, and winters are
drya definite monsoonal trait. Only Taiwan, and southern islands of Japan including
southern half of Honshu, receive rainfall in winter caused by the southeasterly winds
which bring rainfall after picking up moisture on the Japan Sea, East China Sea, and the
adjoining seas. The range of temperature increases in the interiors, as the winters become colder and summers warmer.
5. Tropical Monsoon Region:
It is a vast region in southern and southeastern Asia encompassing nearly all the
territory north of 10 north and south of the Tropic of Cancerfrom the Indus-Ganga
lowlands to the Indo-Chinese peninsula (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos) and Myanmar and
Thailand.

The North Indian plains are practically tropical in climate although they actually lie in
the Temperate Zone. Typically monsoonal conditionsseasonal reversal of wind
systems and associated rainfall regimesprevail.
It is important to emphasize here that the summer monsoons in India owe their origin
to the pressure and wind systems in the equatorial zone. During summer the southeast
winds are sucked to the low-pressure area in western India and the moist winds from
the Indian Ocean cause the onset of rain bearing summer monsoons.

Most of the region, from India to China and Japan, receives rainfall during summer
months. In winter, conditions are reversed. Winds low from the high-pressure region of
East Siberia outward and are dry. However, during their course as they traverse the wafers of East and South China seas, they pick up moisture and bring some rain to parts of
East Asia and Southeast Asia that lie in their tracks (southern China coast North
Vietnam, northeastern Sri Lanka, southern part of east coast of India).
The countries of the Indo-Chinese peninsula (Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia) reflect
monsoonal seasonality but differ from the Indian and Chinese monsoons. The range of
temperature is smaller and the seasonality of rainfall depends on the precise locations
with reference to the summer or winter monsoons.
6. Equatorial Region:

It includes the areas lying between 10N and 10S in Indonesia and Malaysia. Typical
climatic conditions consist of 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.
7. Central Asia: Mongolian Region:
The region lies in the heart of the continent containing a vast territory of mountains,
and plateaus from Tibet to Mongolia. The conspicuous climatic characteristics are
extreme temperature ranges (daily and annual) and dryness. The region comes under
the influence of a large body of cold, continental, and out flowing dry winds over Asias
landmass. In summer, the landmass is heated, and a low pressure system takes over,
with the consequent dry, inflowing, gusty winds, the enclosing mountain system shelters
this vast region from the inflow of any maritime winds.
8. Central Asia: Aral-Caspian Region:
The region resembles the Iran-Sind region (described below) in dryness and large temperature ranges, but differs in topography, as it is mostly lowland drained by the historic
Amu and Syr rivers. The Mediterranean influences (some winter rain) reach the western
section; but the eastern part gets most rainfall during the summer. Irrigation is
important for all cultivation, as rainfall is scanty.
9. Iran-Sind Region:
The region includes eastern Iran, Afghanistan, and southern Pakistan (Sind province).
Dryness and heat are the two outstanding characteristics of the climate. Rainfall
increases somewhat from the Iran plateau with nearness to the sea. Very hot summers
and cold winters account for large temperature ranges.
Toward the east, monsoonal traits (summer precipitation) are becoming increasingly
evident; in the western parts Mediterranean influences are evident.
10. Mediterranean Region:
Climatically, the region is transitional between the trade wind deserts (Arabia) and the
zone of prevailing westerlies. It includes the territory bordering the Mediterranean from
Turkey to Syria, Israel, and Iraq. Winter temperatures fall below 50F and in summer
rise above 75F. Precipitation is mostly in winter brought by the cyclonic storms
emanating in the west.

11. Tropical Desert Region:

The region lies essentially in the trade wind belt, outside the monsoonal and
Mediterranean influences. Excessive temperature ranges and dryness characterize the
climate.
Relationship between Urbanization and Cities in Iran
Essay on Natural Vegetation and Soils of Asia

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