Major Climate Regions of the World

Moist Tropical

• Designated by the Koppen system as the letter 'A,' the moist tropical climate region has high temperatures and record rainfall. These regions can be found throughout Central and South America, mid-Africa and in minor parts of Asia and Australia. Perhaps the most well-known moist tropical environment is the Amazon Rainforest, which is mostly located in Brazil and Peru.

Dry

• Dry climate, or group 'B,' is separated into two subgroups: Semiarid/steppe and arid/desert. These areas typically have low rainfall totals, and there are extreme shifts in temperature in the course of 24 hours. A dry climate can be found in the western part of North America, the southern bit of South America and throughout much of north Africa and the Middle East. Nearly all of Australia is considered a dry climate.

Humid Middle Latitude

• Letter 'C' under the Koppen system, places in the Humid Middle Latitude climate have "warm, dry" summers and "cool, wet" winters. Weather patterns are dictated by the balance between land mass and water. This climate is found in the eastern half of North America, particularly in the United States. It is also found throughout portions of Europe and middle portions of Asia.

Continental

• Continental climate, letter 'D' (and also known as a temperate climate), can be found on the interior of large land masses, such as the Eastern half of North America. Temperatures can vary, and rainfall isn't uncommon but overall totals are usually low. Outside of North America, continental climate can be found on the southern East coast of South America, and in Asia.

Cold

• The 'E' climate is designated by those places with permanent ice and tundra. This climate can be found on the North and South Poles, throughout Canada and Russia as well as in the northernmost countries throughout Europe.