Previous Year Question
A geographic region has the following distinct characteristics.
Warm and dry climate
Mild and wet winter
Evergreen oak trees
The above features are the distinct characteristics of which one of the following regions?
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
All three features represent the Mediterranean climate and its natural vegetation.
1. Warm and dry climate: Mediterranean regions experience warm or hot and dry summers. During summer, the subtropical high-pressure belt extends over these areas. Descending air suppresses cloud formation and precipitation.
2. Mild and wet winter: During winter, pressure and wind belts shift towards the equator. These regions come under the influence of westerlies and associated temperate cyclones, which bring winter rainfall. Maritime influence generally keeps the winter mild.
3. Evergreen oak trees: Vegetation must tolerate hot and dry summers. Plants consequently possess hard, thick and waxy leaves, deep roots and water-conserving adaptations. Such vegetation is described as sclerophyllous. Cork oak, holm oak, olive and Mediterranean shrubs are common examples.
Mediterranean climate occurs mainly on the western sides of continents between approximately 30° and 40° latitudes:
The region surrounding the Mediterranean Sea
Central California
Central Chile
South-western South Africa
South-western and southern Australia
Therefore, the correct answer is the Mediterranean region.