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Brazil
Factfile |
 Brazil |
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Weather and Climate |
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As the Equator runs through the northern part of Brazil and the Tropic of Capricorn through the southern section, Brazil is almost entirely situated with the Tropics. This greatly affects the climate and general weather that the country experiences. Brazil has several different types of climate. These are principally affected by closeness to the equator and the land relief (height above sea level).
Brazil view – Melinda Kolk
Equatorial Climate: Areas which lie within 5° North or 5° South of the Equator have an equatorial climate. Temperatures are high and constant throughout the year. Annual rainfall is also high exceeding 2000mm. Compare this with:
London: 610 mm
Fort William: 1,999 mm (Western Scotland)
The rain is heavy and falls most afternoons. There is little variation in temperature from month to month and year to year. This means that there is no seasonal change and constant high humidity. Winds are generally light and variable. Tropical Rainforests grow in equatorial climates and this part of Brazil is home to The Amazon Rainforest, which is the world’s largest Rainforest.
Tropical Climate: Immediately North and South of the equatorial climate zone is the tropical area. Here there are two seasons – dry season and wet season. The heaviest rainfall is during part of Brazil’s summer (December – February). Tropical rain does not last long, but is so heavy that roads can quickly flood. Both the wet and dry seasons are warm, but there is slightly more variations in temperature than nearer the Equator.
Hot Desert Climate: Between the latitudes of 5° and 30° North and South of the Equator, a desert climate can exist. Although not a desert, the Northeastern part of Brazil is the hottest area of the country. It has constantly high temperatures with low annual rainfall (as little as 400mm) and consequently suffers from droughts. The vegetation mainly consists of small underdeveloped trees and bushes, along with cacti.
Sub Tropical Climate: The Southern area of Brazil has a different climate again. The climate is more temperate, it is cooler with a greater range of temperatures and clear seasons. Heavy tropical storms sometimes hit the coastal region in the summer and frost can damage crops.
The highest mountain in Brazil is the Pico da Neblina (3,014 m) in the north, on the border with Venezuela.
The River Amazon is the world’s second longest river, after the Nile. It rises in the Andes Mountains before flowing east across Northern Brazil to the Atlantic Ocean. The Amazon Basin (the land drained by the river and its tributaries) has more fresh water in it than any other in the world.
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