(a) Draw an outline map of Africa. On the map, show and name
(i) one area that receives rainfall in winter;
(ii) the dominant air masses over Africa in July;
(iii) the position of the ITCZ in July
(b) Explain the effects of altitude on the climate of Africa.
Explanation
(b) Effects of latitude on the climate of Africa
(a) Temperature decreases with altitude at an average rate of 6.5°C for approximately 1000m of vertical ascent
(b) High altitude area experience high amount of rainfall because of orographic effect
(c) In high altitude areas like Jos, there is little air to distribute the heat, hence cooler climate
(d) High altitude areas have less dust and water vapour and so allow the heat to escape rapidly
(e) On the windward side, rainfall is higher than the surrounding areas whereas on the leeward side, the rainfall is either scanty or low
(f) Since the atmosphere is heated by conduction, area close to the earth’s surface are thus warmer
(g) Nairobi and Mombasa, for instance, are almost on the same latitude but Nairobi in a higher latitude (1675m) has lower mean annual temperature than Mombasa (1600m)