Earth-Sun Relationship

0 0 latitude – Equator 0 longitude – Prime Meridian (has no affect

on climate)

Rotation The spinning of the

earth on its axis Takes 24 hours Creates night & day

Revolution The orbit of the earth around the sun Takes 365 ¼ days Creates the seasons

Polar Night When the polar region is tilted away from the sun – the polar area receives 24 hours of darkness. When it is pointed toward the sun the area receives 24 hours of daylight.

EQUINOX

Direct rays of the sun are located on the EQUATOR

Days and nights are equal in length Spring (Vernal) and Fall (Autumnal) When it is Spring in the northern hemisphere

it is Fall in the southern hemisphere (the opposite is also true)

SOLSTICE

Direct rays of the sun are located on the TROPIC OF CANCER OR CAPRICORN

Days and nights are not equal in length – summer days are longer – winters nights are longer

Summer and Winter When it is Winter in the northern hemisphere

it is Summer in the southern hemisphere (the opposite is also true)

Antarctic Circle – 66.5 S

Arctic Circle – 66.5 N

South Pole - 90 S

North Pole - 90 N

Red – LOW LATITUDES

0 – 23 ½ North & South

Tropics

Hot and Humid

Green – MID LATITUDES

23 ½ - 66 ½ North & South

Temperate

Mild

THE MAJORITY OF THE WORLD’S PEOPLE LIVE IN THE TEMPERATE ZONE!!

Blue – HIGH LATITUDES

66 ½ - 90 North & South

Polar

Cold and Dry