Nova Social Studies 10

Above Figure Shows the Tropical Desert Climate across the World
(b) Climate: Deserts are those land areas where evaporation exceeds rainfall. All deserts receive very low
rainfall [only about 25cm (10 inch) or less per year] and low humidity allows up to 90% of sunrays to
penetrate the atmosphere and hit the earth surface. Winds are light, which allows for the evaporation of
moisture in the intense heat. Tropical deserts receive a little more than twice the solar radiation received
by humid regions and lose almost twice the heat at night compared to humid region. This is why diurnal
difference in temperatures is quite high. Temperature in deserts can soar up to 48º C in cloudless afternoons
and go down (to as low as – 18º C) in a cloudless night with a biting chill in the air. Maximum temperatures
under normal conditions during daytime remain 40º° to 45º C and temperature goes below freezing point (0º°
C) at night. Thus, the intense heat and lack of rainfall is typical of the tropical desert climate.
(c) Vegetation: Deserts are areas where the rainfall is too low to sustain any vegetation, except very scanty
scrub (stunted tree or bush) and shrub (a woody plant with several stems generally with no trunk). The
desert plants are mainly ground-hugging shrubs and short woody trees with fully supported leaves. Other
plants like ‘yucca’ and ‘cacti’ are prominent vegetation of deserts. The leaves are reduced to spines in cacti
and its modified stems do photosynthesis activity. Plants with such thick stems store large quantities of
water for future use. Other plants drop their leaves during the dry period. The process of photosynthesis
is taken over in the desert by the stems. A number of desert plants store water in leaves, stems, and roots.
Thorns, which are modified leaves, serve to guard the water from animal invaders. These plants may take
in and store carbon dioxide only at night; during the day their stomata, or pores, are closed to prevent
evaporation.
(d) Animals: Mostly those animals that have capacity to store water and withstand heat survive in deserts.
These animals show metabolic and morphological adaptations that cut down on use of water. Some animals
are active only during the night and some others go for hibernation in a warm weather. Many desert animals
love to remain under cover or return to the shelter periodically to protect themselves from the heat during
the day time. Most of these animals are burrowers who stay ‘inactive’ in protected places during the hot day
and come out to forage when desert is cooler especially at dusk, dawn or at night.

4. Tropical Monsoon Climatic Region (5°N/S to 30° N/S)

(a) Location or Distribution: The tropical monsoon climate is located beyond the equator between 5º° N/S
and 30º° N/S latitudes in both the hemispheres. Those countries which are situated along the coastal regions
are mostly affected by the monsoon. For example, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, South-western
Africa, French Guiana, and north-eastern and south-eastern Brazil are under the influence of monsoon.

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Above Figure Shows the Tropical Monsoon Climate across the World
(b) Climate: The Monsoon is a seasonal change in wind direction. Summer monsoon brings rain as the
moisture-laden wind advances towards the land area from the sea and winter monsoon retreats from the
land towards the sea bringing little or no rainfall in the area. The “classic” monsoon circulation of Asia
exhibits an onshore flow of air (air moving from ocean towards land) during the summer or high-sun
season, and offshore airflow (air moving from land towards water) during the winter or low-sun season.
The change in direction is due to the difference in the way water and land heat up resulting in development
of difference in pressure areas.
The monsoon climate has a high mean annual temperature and a small annual temperature range like
equatorial climate. Average annual temperature remains at around 28° C but has an annual temperature
range of 4° C. However, there is a greater variation in the mean monthly temperatures. Northern hemisphere
experiences seasons like autumn and winter between October and February. Monsoon countries in the
north experience lower temperatures during these months. Between March and September, it is spring and
summer in the northern hemisphere. Temperatures increase and monsoon countries experience warmer
weather during this period. The diurnal temperature is lower during the wet summer season than it is in
winter. A wet season lasts from June to September, when the winds change direction; when they blow in the
region of low pressure across the equator and over the oceans, they are warmer and carry a lot of moisture
causing a lot of rain. Total rainfall can reach 400cm in Pokhara, Nepal and around 1300 cm in Maosinram in
Meghalaya (India).
(c) Vegetation: Most of the trees are deciduous, which shed all their leaves at the same time-period. The trees
shed their leaves during the dry season. The deciduous forest has four distinct seasons - spring, summer,
autumn, and winter. In the autumn, the leaves change colour. During the winter months, the trees lose
their leaves because winter is generally a dry season of less or no rainfall. Tropical Monsoon forests are
hardwoods like Teak and Rosewood with waxy, leathery and hairy broad leaves with drip tips to help the
tree get rid of excessive water quickly during the wet season. In dry season they shed their leaves to prevent
loss of water by transpiration. Roots are deep to anchor into the soil firmly and provide good support for the
trees. Deep roots also allow the trees to tap the underground water during the dry seasons.
(d) Animals: Prominent animals of tropical monsoon climates are toucans, insects, lizards, snakes, butterflies
and frogs.

Words and terms you would like to know

Biome: A biome is a cluster of plants and animals having a range of common features because of similar climates in that
region. There are many habitats in which plants and animals survive together in a single biome.

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Monsoon: Monsoons are seasonal shifts in winds caused by the difference in atmospheric pressure around the land and
ocean. Summer (advancing) monsoons usually bring higher than usual amounts of rainfall to an area and sometimes
cause massive flooding.

Summer Monsoon Pattern Winter Monsoon Pattern

Diurnal (adj.): happening every day

Primate (n.): a member of an order of mammals with a large brain and complex hands and feet, including humans,
apes, and monkeys

Canopy (n.): umbrella like structure; a covering put above something to provide shelter or for decoration

Humid (adj.): with a relatively high level of moisture in the air

Predator (n.): a carnivorous animal that hunts, kills, and eats other animals in order to survive, or any other organism
that behaves in a similar manner

Activities

1. Use the Atlas to identify the countries or regions falling under the Tropical Climatic Zone and specif-
ically mark the areas being influenced by equatorial, tropical grasslands, tropical deserts and tropical
monsoon climates. Make a list of such areas with proper heading and present the same in the classroom.

2. Hold a discussion by making four groups in the classroom on how far tropical climate is suitable for
human health and agricultural activities. Direct each group to use examples while discussing the topic
and ask a group leader from each of the groups to note down the gist and conclusion at the end of the
discussion. Let all the conclusions be compiled together for the benefit of the class and get the same
distributed amongst the students.

3. A man or a woman from your community might have returned from the Arab or Gulf countries after
a stint of work (employment). Meet that person and enquire about the climatic conditions, vegetation
and animals s/he saw and experienced there. Also enquire about the camels and the way camels assist
in the life and work of the Gulf population. Note down the details s/he shares with you and share the
same with your classmates.

4. Why are the birds in Savanna more adept at running rather than being able to fly? Hold a discussion
with your teacher and students who want to offer the explanation and reasons about it. Identify some
of the birds from this region (biome).

5. In a blank map of the world, mark the following points:
I. French Guiana, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, British Isles, Scandinavia, Amazon Basin, Congo Basin, Florida
Current, Gulf Stream
II. Selvas, Savanna, Lanos, Campos, Veldt, Thar, Kalahari, Sahara, Atacama, Namib

6. Explain why only thorny plants with spiked leaves and stunted trees are found in the desert regions.
Compare and contrast the features of these plants with the vegetation found in your area of residence.

7. Illustrate the relationship between the vegetation and climate of Tropical Zone. Nepal too lies in the
Tropical zone but its vegetation is not the same as found in the Tropical Zone. Analyse why vegetation
in Nepal differs from each other in Tarai (Plain land), Hilly and Himalayan (Mountainous land) areas
by specifying reasons.

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8. Draw a table as given below and highlight the characteristic features of different climatic regions found
in the tropical zone:

S.N. Name of Climate (Region) Features of Climate

9. Nepal is influenced by the tropical monsoon climate. Make four groups in the classroom and discuss
the pattern of monsoon and its impacts on Nepal with reference to both summer (advancing) as well as
winter (retreating) monsoons based on the following pictures.

Exercise

1. Point out the latitudinal extension (position) of all the climatic regions which fall under the tropical
zone.

2. Highlight any four differences between the equatorial climate and tropical desert climate.
3. Give reasons why the equatorial climate is considered as the great purifier of environment (atmosphere)

of the world.
4. Tropical grasslands are called the ‘zoo of the world’. Why? Give reasons.
5. What kind of specific adaptations do you notice in vegetation and animal life of equatorial and tropical

desert climates?
6. Differentiate between Selvas and Savanna.
7. Highlight the advantages and disadvantages of monsoon with reference to Nepal.

Community Work

Red Pandas that were often spotted in Pathibhara of Taplejung district are getting rare in sight. Earlier, Red
Pandas were commonly sighted in Hangdewa, Phurumbu, Linkhim, Pahawakhola and Tirange forests near
the district headquarters. Red Pandas are found in the forests of hills and lower mountains of Nepal (along
with India, Bhutan, northern Myanmar and south-western China). Increased presence of humans showing
reckless behaviour, noise pollution and loss of habitat under the pressure of increasing population are some
of the causes behind the loss of animals from Nepal’s natural habitat. Nepal has already lost significant
area of ‘forest-cover’ to ‘farm and pasture-land’, residential colony and highways. Chure region is a case to
consider here. Visit your local surroundings and nearby forest area to prepare a report on the present status
of animals and forest based on interviews with concerned officials and reports collected from different media.

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Lesson Tropical Climatic Zone – Human
Activities (Life Patterns)
3

The tropics are warm throughout the year. Not only is the sun shining for most of the year, but the air
is also humid and moist. Therefore, skin is always left sticky. At least once or twice a day, bathing is a
necessity, particularly during summer. There is no shortage of fruit trees in tropical countries. Bananas,
guavas, mangos, papayas, lychees, watermelons and less familiar fruits like lanzones, durians, and star
apples are cultivated, consumed and widely distributed. Seafood like crabs, oysters, and clams are also
available in abundant supply. Ants, cockroaches, and flies can be found anywhere, which is why cleaning is
a frequent requirement and food needs to be carefully stored. 
Below are the human life patterns in different climatic regions of the tropical zone:

A. Way (or Pattern) of Human Life in the Equatorial Climatic Region

Equatorial climate (5º°N to 5º°S) has world’s unique biome of rainforest and is the home to many tribal
people. An estimated 50 million of the world’s 300 million indigenous people live in or depend on tropical
rainforests. “Slash and burn” or shifting agriculture is normally practiced by the sedentary farmers who are
forced out of their villages into the forests. Soils of tropical forests do not have rich nutrients because most
of the nutrients, which support the luxuriant growth in the rainforests, circulate without actually becoming
part of the soil. This means that in most of the cases when tropical forests are cleared for agriculture, they
only produce good crops for a few years and then farmers have to look for another forest area to clear it for
agriculture. Such a practice of shifting agriculture casts an adverse impact on the forest ecology which has
led to the deforestation and has also hastened the extinction of indigenous people or the tribes who solely
survive on forest.
Well known rainforest tribes surviving in equatorial climate are the Yanomami of Brazil, the Pygmies of
Central Africa, the Penan of Sarawak (Malaysia) and the Kuku-Yalanji of North East Queensland (Australia).
These rainforest tribes have their unique ‘rainforest culture’ which are storehouses of great knowledge to
live sustainably within the limits imposed by plant’s ecosystems. Rainforest cultures harvest the wealth
of the forests without destroying them as life of indigenous people are inseparably dependent on them.
Rainforest tribes possess fundamental understanding of medicinal plants found in the forests and they
understand unique symbiotic relationship between flora and fauna in the forest ecosystem. This is how
rainforest cultures have successfully lived for thousands of years. Unfortunately, they are under threat at
present in the hands of ruling elites and development agencies who devise development plans without
considering their unique sustainable symbiotic living pattern within the forest. In Brazil alone, 87 tribes were
wiped out in the first half of the 20th century.

Pygmy Father and a child Pygmy Mother and a Child

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The Pygmies in Central Africa are spread around the countries like Rawanda, Burundi, Uganda, Zaire,
Congo and the Equatorial Guinea. Pygmies are considered to be the original inhabitants of the African
rainforest biome. They trade forest produce – mainly meat for grains with neighbouring farmers. The
farmers in Africa depend largely on pygmies for the forest products kike meat, honey and medicinal plants.
In return, pygmies receive iron implements from the farmers. Some pygmies have become sedentary farmers
because of deforestation.
Besides the tribal groups, the countries from the equatorial region are fast developing countries. Countries
like Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines and Brazil are registering high growth in industries,
trade, agriculture and tourism. They are getting integrated into global economy with their own respective
civilization to be proud of.

B. Way (or Pattern) of Human Life in Tropical Grasslands (Savanna)

Tropical grasslands (5º°N/S to 20º N/S) all over the world do not favour the practice of settled agriculture.
The varieties of animals in different vegetations ranging from shrubs, grasslands and trees are also
shrinking and getting confined to protected park reserves. Tourism has become important economic
activity for those countries across the world having tropical grasslands. Moreover, the pressure of ever
increasing human population has taken away the tropical grasslands for residential and agricultural
purposes. A vast tract of tropical grasslands has been lost to grazing, townships, construction of roads
and whatnots. Many Savanna species like the rhinoceros and the elephants have reached on the brink
of extinction because they are being poached and killed for making daily-use fancy items like coats,
leather bags and ornaments (derived from ivory tusk of the elephants). Africa’s animal life is under great
pressure, facing threats that include habitat loss from forest clearance, agriculture, and herding; hunting
for food and profit; pollution from agricultural and industrial sources; and disturbance by tourists.
Tropical grasslands have been rapidly converted into grazing fields for cattle and other animals. Excessive
grazing of grasslands has converted them into actual desert at some places. Huge areas of Savanna are lost
to the Sahara desert every year because of overgrazing and farming. For example, Savanna vegetation of
most areas in India has been totally destroyed by human activities with very few areas left with Savanna
vegetation consisting of thorny trees of Acacia, Mimosa and Zizyphus. Fires in Savanna biomes came
about naturally by lightning strikes in the past but presently humans have become the greatest cause of
burning Savanna vegetations, particularly in Australia. Fires are lit deliberately with a view to keep the
country open with passage (like a thoroughfare); to kill small edible animals such as lizards, turtles and
rodents; and to cultivate those plants that produce edible tubers.

Masai Women and Man in their Traditional Attire
Savanna tribes especially Masai and Hausa practice primitive agriculture and raise cattle for their survival.
Cattle are the center of Masai life, providing food (milk, blood, and meat), their materials (skin for clothes
and dung to seal their houses), and only recognized form of wealth for them. Each family marks its cattle
with a unique brand and slits the ear to identify them. The Masai live in small clusters of huts (called
kraals or bomas) made of sticks sealed together with cow dung; these kraals also include enclosures for
the cattle.

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The Hausa are a diverse but culturally homogeneous people. They live in small villages or towns in Africa
and earn their living through growing crops, raising livestock including cattle, and engaging in trade. Most
of the Hausa are concentrated into Nigeria and Niger. Subsistence agriculture is the primary occupation of
the most, but other skills such as tanning, dyeing, weaving, and metal working are also highly developed.
Hausas have long been famous for wide-ranging itinerant trading, and wealthy merchants share the
highest social positions with the politically powerful and the learned.

Hausa Men and a Woman in Their Typical Traditional Attire

C. Way (or Pattern) of Human Life in Tropical Deserts Climatic Region

The main occupations of people living in the tropical deserts (20º°N/S to 30º N/S) are agriculture and animal
husbandry. However, agriculture is mainly dependant on the seasonal rains, which are uncertain. Therefore,
the region faces frequent droughts. Crops are grown on desert lands with water provided by irrigation from
rivers or wells. Animal husbandry has become popular due to the difficult farming conditions. Camels are
important animals of deserts and are famous as “Ships of the Deserts”. They not only provide milk, meat,
wool, and hides but are also valued as pack or saddle animals. Camels are adapted to survive in deserts.
Camels can flourish on the coarsest of sparse vegetation, feeding on thorny plants, the leaves and twigs of
shrubs, and dried grasses that other animals would refuse. Hump of the camel stores food as accumulated
fat used for emergency and camel can go without drinking water for as many as 17 days and survive. Other
adaptations include double rows of heavy protective eyelashes, haired ear openings, the ability to close their
nostrils, and keen senses of sight and smell. Desert tribes cannot imagine ‘life and living’ without camels.

Asian Camel Arabian Camel Caravan

Although deserts are generally not suitable for regular agriculture, yet the greenery and facility for water
are being developed with the help of special technology to practice dry land farming on few patches of land.
Such a spot where greenery and water are available in the midst of deserts is called “oasis”. At present,
deserts around the world particularly in India and west Asia are opening to modern economy especially
after finding out minerals and have become hotspots for tourists from around the world who come to enjoy

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desert safari. For example, the Sahara is the largest desert in the world that occupies approximately 10 percent
of the African Continent including Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan
and Tunisia. As the largest desert, the Sahara receives less than three inches (7.6 cm) of rain a year. Even this
scarcity of water and high temperature have not prevented this region to have varied and typical kind of the
flora and fauna to transform the Sahara as some of the finest and popular tourist attractions (destinations) in
Desert Oasis and Hot Springs. The Sahara desert safari offers unforgettable experience in the Sahara Desert
Camping. Moreover, the Sahara desert sunset offers visitors some of the finest breathtaking views. Besides
tourism, the desert region has rich deposits of oil, gas, lignite coal, coal bed methane (petroleum) and source
of renewable energy derived from sunrays and wind. Many companies are in queue for establishing their
energy projects in the region.
Desert tribes like Bushmen of Kalahari and Bindibu of Great Australian Desert still live in primitive manner
with their typical tribal ethos. But, Mewars of Thar Desert and Bedouins of Arabian Deserts are accepting
the modern life style by setting up their small industrial units and dispersing in different locations to be the
part of modern civilizations.

A glimpse of life pattern of Bushmen tribe
Bushmen are the nomadic hunter-gatherer people of the Kalahari Desert of Africa. They are also called
“Basarwa” (in Botswana) and “San” (in Namibia and South Africa). Entire tribe of Bushmen loves leisure
and relaxation such as conversation, joking, music, and sacred dances. Particularly, children have no social
duties besides playing. Women have a high status in the San society and are greatly respected. They make
important family and group decisions and own water holes and foraging areas. Women are mainly involved
in the gathering of food (such as fruits, berries, tubers, bush onions) but may also take part in the hunting
along with their men.

D. Way (or Pattern) of Human Life in Tropical Monsoon Climatic Region

Tropical monsoon region has been the centre of eastern civilization and continues to be so until now.
Great civilizations developed on the banks of rivers like Indus, Hwang Ho, Irrawaddy, Ganga, and
Brahmaputra. Even today the banks of these rivers are as fertile as they were in the past. No wonder,
almost two thirds of humanity lives within regions influenced by the tropical monsoon Climate (5º°N/S to
30º° N/S). Monsoon is considered as both boon and bane for inhabitants living in tropical monsoon areas.
Widespread flooding occurs almost every year in tropical monsoon area if the rainfall is in excess. Besides,
danger exists for landslides and mudflows in mountainous areas due to excessive rainfall. There is a
reported loss of thousands of human and animal lives along with destruction of property. Deadly Malaria
spreads during the periods of high temperature and heavy rainfall. On the other hand, a weak monsoon
rainy season may cause drought, crop failures, and hardship for people and wildlife.
On the positive side, monsoon favours the agricultural activities particularly rice cultivation. For example,

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Asia has very high shares of the area and production of rice in the world. Some 90% of the total acreage
as well as annual output of rice are concentrated in this region. This is why tropical monsoon region is
called the “rice granary” of the world. Paddy plants are well adapted to extensively inundated lowlands
of tropical monsoon climate. Rice is the most important food staple for most of the people in this region.
South and Southeast Asia heavily depend on the summer monsoon because most of the people are directly
dependent upon agriculture and agriculture cannot succeed without rain.

Paddy plantation in South Asia during the onset of summer monsoon
This is the obvious socio-economic truth of South and Southeast Asian countries. Many areas in these
countries do not have large irrigation systems surrounding lakes, rivers, or snowmelt areas. Aquifers,
or supplies of underground water, are shallow. The summer monsoon fills wells and aquifers for the
rest of the year and proves to be blessing and boon for predominantly agrarian economy of developing
countries. Crops like rice, tea, sugarcane and jute are some crops that rely on the summer monsoon. Dairy
farms, which help make India the largest milk producer in the world, also depend on the monsoon rains
for developing grazing land (pasture land) to keep cows healthy and well fed.
Industry in South and Southeast Asia too relies on the summer monsoon. A great deal of electricity in
the region is produced by hydroelectric power plants, which are driven by water collected during the
monsoons. Electricity powers hospitals, schools, and businesses that help the economies of these areas
develop.
When the summer monsoon is late or weak, the region’s economy suffers forcing the government to
import food. Electricity becomes scarce and too expensive. That is why, the summer monsoon in this part
of the world is known as “true finance minister.”

Words and terms you would like to know

Sticky (adj.): uncomfortably warm and humid
Sedentary (adj.): remaining in the same area throughout the year and not migrating anywhere
Oasis (n.): fertile ground in a desert where the level of underground water rises to or near ground level, and where
plants grow and travelers can replenish water supplies
Itinerant (adj.): traveling from place to place, especially to find work or as part of your work

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Activities

1. Eastern islanders are more developed than the tribes of South America and Africa. Some of the analysts
attribute the development of tribal groups of the Eastern island to the contact with European colonizers
but the same Europeans colonized the South America and Africa too and the tribes of the two continents
did not develop as Eastern islanders did. Hold a discussion in the classroom with regard to causes be-
hind the backwardness of the tropical tribes of South America and Africa. Write down the conclusions
and read them aloud in front of your Social Studies teacher.

2. Tropical climatic zone is not favourite for agricultural activities as farm lands are not fertile. Thanks to
the modern technology and agricultural research, agriculture has begun to pay off and is contributing to
ease the difficult nomadic life to turn it into sedentary life. One of the prime reasons of human migration
is not to have favourable factors supporting agricultural activities. What is the status of agriculture in
your area? How far scientific technology and agricultural research are in practice to make the agricul-
tural activities profitable and paying? Write a letter to the Ministry of Agriculture mentioning all the
problems and challenges being faced in area of agriculture expecting prompt solutions and remedies
from the side of the Government and cooperatives at the local level.

3. At present, the tropical grassland climatic regions across the world are attracting many number of tour-
ists and are getting economic benefits due to the surge of tourism. However, benefits of tourism do
not seem to reach the lives of a number of local tribes and they are still languishing in poverty with
extremely hard life-pattern following their own traditional rites and rituals. What kinds of projects and
programs have to be launched in order to improve the standard of life of such peoples? Write a detailed
paragraph.

4. Tropical monsoon region is densely populated and it is also a cradle of civilizations. The monsoon
regions in the tropics are blessed with rich human cultures and heritages. Explain the reasons why
and how such enrichment in human culture and civilization has been possible in the tropical monsoon
regions.

Exercise

1. Briefly introduce Masai and Hausa. How do they survive and live their life?
2. Explain the reasons why camels are called ships of deserts.
3. Specify the civilizations which originated and developed in the tropical monsoon climates.
4. Describe why tourism is getting so popular in the tropical grassland regions across the world.
5. There are so many reasons why living in the tropics is awesome. Justify the statement with relevant

points and examples.
6. Monsoon is both the boon and the bane in tropical region of the world. Describe with the help of

illustrations.
7. Compare and contrast the pattern of human life being followed in the tropical monsoons with that of

tropical deserts.
8. Highlight the causes for the gradual depletion of the tropical grasslands from the face of the Earth. What

are its effects?
9. Tropical deserts have a lot of potentials of riches buried beneath the surface of the Earth. Analyze the

sentence with appropriate examples.

Community Work

Government of Nepal has decided to allow Rautes, a tribe in Nepal, to live in forest of western Nepal. Would
you like to compare them with Bushmen and Bedouins? Make your own observation with appropriate
reasoning with reference to other local communities living in different parts of Nepal totally dependent on
local resources. Is it not that these local communities must be allowed to develop their local technology and
live with their traditional knowledge supported by the local resources instead of forcefully pushing them to
get integrated into a so-called civilized world which follows western culture? Make your own assessment
only after meeting the elderly tribe men from different ethnic groups living across different regions of Nepal.

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Lesson Temperate Climatic Zone – Nature
and Types of Climates
4

Temperate climatic zone extends from 30º°N/S to 60º°N/S in both the hemispheres. Regions with a temperate
climate have roughly equally long winters and summers. There are generally no temperature extremes but
can happen in regions influenced by continental climates. Continental climates are experienced in the middle
of land mass i.e. the interior of a continent with hot summers, cold winters and little rainfall. The dry air that
descends on the deserts and moves towards the poles along the Earth’s surface meets cold air flowing from
the poles at and above 60º latitude in North and South hemispheres known as ‘sub-polar low-pressure belt’.
This rising air at 60º latitude cools down and gives up the moisture as rain that supports the great temperate
forests such as deciduous and coniferous forests particularly in Northern Hemisphere. As the amount of
rainfall decreases, various temperate biomes like temperate grasslands, chaparral and temperate deserts tend
to develop.
The ‘sub-polar low-pressure belt’ in and around 60° latitudes in both the hemispheres is created by the
convergence of cold polar easterly winds and warm sub-tropical antitrades famously known as westerly winds.
This kind of unique confluence of diametrically two opposite quality of winds blowing from opposite directions
brings precipitation at sub-polar low-pressure region as cold easterlies blowing from the poles force the wet
and warm westerly to rise to form clouds to trigger precipitation. This interplay of winds in temperate zone has
created few notable climatic regions (or biomes) details of which are being given below:
1. Mediterranean Climatic Region (30º° N – 45º°N and 30º°S – 40º°S)
2. Temperate Grassland Climatic Region (45º°N – 60º°N and 30º°S – 40º°S )
3. Temperate Maritime Climatic Region (45º°N – 60º°N and 40º°S – 50º°S)
4. Temperate Monsoon Climatic Region (30º°N – 45º°N and 30º°S – 40º°S)
Let us understand the details of each of the climatic regions or biomes that fall under temperate zone.

1. Mediterranean Climatic Region (30°N – 45°N and 30°S – 40°S)

Above Figure Shows the Mediterranean Climate across the World

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(a) Location or Distribution: The Mediterranean climate borders at temperate grassland and tropical
deserts at the shores of Mediterranean Sea and along the south west coast of other five continents except
Asia from 30º°N to 45º°N in the northern hemisphere and 30º°S to 40º S in the southern hemisphere.
These regions are the coastal area of the Mediterranean sea, Western North America, central Chile, the
Cape Town area of South Africa, and South-western and southern Australia.

(b) Climate: Mediterranean climate has hot and dry summers with minimum one month of prolonged drought.
Winters in Mediterranean climate are usually cool and moist as most of the annual precipitation i.e. rainfall
takes place in winter. The winter is usually very mild and the temperature normally remains at about 10º°C.
The Mediterranean climate during summers is so hot and dry that temperature rises up to 40° C resulting
in fires and droughts. The annual temperature range is between 10º°C and 34º°C. Because of this feature of
Mediterranean climate, it is also famous as ‘Warm Temperate Climate’.

(c) Vegetation: Mediterranean climate has Chaparral vegetation. Chaparral is a Spanish word that means a
thicket of shrubby evergreen oaks. A shrub is a plant with multiple woody stems with no central trunk
and acquires the height of less than 8m. Chaparral (vegetation in Mediterranean climate) has evergreen
shrubs having small, leathery and dry leaves popularly known as microphyllous, sclerophyllous and
xerophytes plants respectively. Examples of dominant shrubs are Chamise, California buckwheat and
various types of Manzanita. Mediterranean regions in all the five continents also possess a mixture of
low conifers and hardwood trees. Oaks and Pines are dominant trees. Since many of the species of trees
contain volatile oils in their leaves, they catch fire during hot and dry summer.

Other chaparral plants like Sagebrush and Manzanita have spicy and aromatic odours probably to deter
insects. Similarly, perennial plants develop fire-resistant roots below the soil so that they can throw up
new stems for new shrubs even after the plants above the soil are completely burnt in fire. Since this
biome gets about 13-29 inches (35 to 75 cm) of rain all the year and that too comes in the winter after
the long period of dryness in the summer, only plants with hard leaves can survive here, such as scrub
oaks, chamiso shrubs, pines, corks and olive trees. Many leaves are also hairy so that they can collect the
moisture out of the air and use it.

(d) Animals: The Mediterranean climate has animals like ground birds, deer and small mammals. Some
other animals are Aardwolf, Cactus Wren, Golden Jackal, Grey Fox, Puma, Spotted Skunk, Wild Goat,
and Black-tailed Jackrabbit.

2. Temperate Grassland Climate or Steppe (45°N – 60°N and 30°S – 40°S )

(a) Location or Distribution: This climatic region normally spreads in the interior part from 45º°N to 60º°N
in the northern hemisphere and 30º°S to 40º°S in the southern hemisphere. Temperate grasslands are
distributed in North America (called Prairies), Columbia Plateau in South America (called Pampas),
interior of Europe and Asia at the upper northward stretch of Russia (called Steppe), and Southern tip
of South Africa (called Veldt) and in the Basin of Murray Darling River in Australia (called Downs).

Figure Shows the Temperate Grassland Biomes across the World

206 Nova Social Studies Grade-10 >>

(b) Climate: Temperature plays determining role in temperate grassland area. The overall climate is semi-
arid and experiences seasonal extremes of hot and cold rather than wet and dry conditions. Temperate
grasslands have hot summers and cold winters with moderate rainfall mostly in the form of snow.
Summer temperatures are well above 30º C while winter temperatures can go as low as –30º C (Minus
30 degrees). Annual rainfall varies from 25 to75 cm.

(c) Vegetation: Grassland biomes are large, rolling terrains of grasses, flowers and herbs. Latitude, soil
and local climates for the most part determine what kinds of plants grow in particular grassland. A
grassland is a region where the average annual precipitation is adequate to support grasses, and in some
areas a few trees. Grasses have long roots and underground stems penetrating as deep as 2m and weighing
several times more than the aerial plants. Half or more of the plants lie hidden beneath the soil. Grasses can
survive fires because they grow from the bottom of the soil instead of from the top of the soil. Their stems can
grow again even after being burnt off. The soil of most grassland is also too thin and dry for trees to survive.
Grassland biomes are found in the middle latitudes, in the interiors of continents.

There are two different types of grasslands: tall-grass, which are humid and very wet, and short-grass,
which are dry, with hotter summers and colder winters. For example, tall grasses as high as 11 feet are
seen in humid areas of Mississippi River near Gulf of Mexico in the Unites States because it rains quite
often here. On the other hand, short grasses are found in the Rocky Mountains because rains are less in
summer and winters are very cold. The grass-land in areas of Rocky Mountains is known as the short-
grass prairie.

A large area of grassland known as steppes that stretches from Ukraine all the way to Siberia experiences
very cold and dry climate because ocean is not present nearby and cold winds from the arctic are
not blocked by mountains either. Since the steppes lies in both Europe and Asia, it is known as the
Russian and Asian steppes. Unlike prairies, steppes consist of short grasses and the amount of annual
rainfall influences the height of grassland vegetation across the temperate grassland regions. Temperate
grassland in Argentina (South America) is known as pampas.

(d) Animals: A few protected herds of bison are visible in the extensive grasslands of Central and Western
North America. Prong-horned antelope too are visible in the area. These kinds of large grazing ungulates
(animals with hooves) and burrowing animals are the most conspicuous vertebrates. However, the
steppes and Argentine pampas lack large ungulates. The most common burrowing rodents are the
prairie dogs, anteaters, coyotes, snakes and hawks. There are birds with poor ability to fly, of large size
and have high running speed. The Emu in Australia, the Rhea in the Pampas and the Ostrich in Africa
are such birds.

3. Temperate Maritime Climatic Region (45°N – 60°N and 40°S – 50°S)

(a) Location or Distribution: The influence of Temperate Maritime Climate prevails in the west coasts at
the middle latitudes of most continents harbouring oceans near the coast from 45º°N to 60º°N in the
northern hemisphere and from 40º°S to 50º°S in the southern hemisphere.

Above Figure Shows the Western Margin Maritime Climate across the World

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Britain is the most famous example of this type of climatic region. Hence, one of the most popular
names of this climatic region is the British Type of Climate. Other geographical regions having the
influence of this climate are western Europe, western Canada (coastal north-western North America),
Chile, Tasmania island (southeast Australia) and the southern New Zealand.

(b) Climate: This climatic region has four distinct seasons, spring, summer, autumn, and winter because of
the exposure to cold and warm air masses. Climatic conditions of this region generally feature warm, but
not hot summers (12º C to 16º C) and cool, but not cold winters. Annual temperature range is relatively
low (8º C to 11º C). This climatic region lacks a dry season because evenly distributed precipitation
(average amount of rainfall 60 cm or 600 mm) takes place throughout the year. The temperatures and
precipitation are mainly influenced by the mid latitude position, low pressure belt towards the sub-polar
region and tropics and the mild westerly winds which are warmed by warm currents on the west margin
of land masses e.g. the Gulf Stream and California Current.

(c) Vegetation: The deciduous forest has four distinct seasons, spring, summer, autumn, and winter. During
the winter months, the trees lose their leaves. Deciduous plants (trees) are those that lose all of their
leaves for part of the year. This process is called abscission. In some cases leaf-loss coincides with winter
specifically in temperate or polar climate because enough sunrays are not available in winter season
to go for photosynthesis. In other parts of the world, including tropical, sub-tropical, and arid regions,
plants lose their leaves during the dry season or other seasons because of variations in rainfall. Actually,
the word “deciduous” means “falling off in a season”. That explains why deciduous forest means a
forest in which the leaves fall off the trees when the winter comes in temperate region. Deciduous forests
have almost 14 inches (around 36 cm) of rain in the winter months and more than 18 inches (46 cm) of
rain in the summer.

Temperate deciduous forests are famous for the beautifully colored foliage of autumn because trees stop
producing green chlorophyll during the autumn. The plants adapt to the forests by leaning towards
the sun and by soaking up the nutrients from the ground. Most of the deciduous forests have now
disappeared but many of the trees still grow in deciduous forest biome. The types of trees we can find
are broad-leafed deciduous trees and some of the evergreen species. The trees are ash, oak, lime, beech,
birch and northern arrow-wood. Also found in this biome are wild flowers such as oxlip, bluebells,
painted trillium and primrose. Mountainous area of this climatic region is covered with coniferous
forest.

(d) Animals: A number of bird species, including raptors like the peregrine falcon, eagle owl, white-tailed
and greater spotted eagles are found in this area. Like reptiles and amphibians, some mammals in
temperate deciduous forest go for hibernation to get through cold winters when food supplies are
scarce. For example, the American black bear sleeps for as long as 100 days without eating or drinking.

4. Temperate Monsoon Climatic Region (30°N – 45°N and 30°S – 40°S)

(a) Location or Distribution: Temperate monsoon climatic region covers the cool east margin (Mid-
latitude) of the continent from 30º°N to 45º°N in the northern hemisphere and from 30º°S to 40º°S in the
southern hemisphere. The geographical area covered by this climate includes the eastern part of Asia
(north Japan, Korea, Manchuria, North China and Eastern Siberia); north-east part of America (South
Eastern USA and Newfoundland in Canada) and the south-east Australia. Since a lot of area along with
the eastern coast of China comes under the influence of the temperate monsoon climate, it is popularly
recognized as China type of climate.

(b) Climate: Low pressure generally prevails in the area of Eastern Margin Climatic Conditions and
temperature on an average ranges from 0º° to 30º° Centigrade or Celsius. Precipitation (Rainfall) is much
in summer while winter remains relatively dry. Annual average rainfall remains around 600 mm (60
cm). Annual range of temperature is quite high because of very warm summer and very cold winter

208 Nova Social Studies Grade-10 >>

(generally below freezing point). Since much of the precipitation happens in summer in comparison to
winter, the region experiences warm wet summers and cold dry winters in relative sense.

Above Figure Shows the Eastern Margin Climate across the World
(c) Vegetation: Because of the climatic conditions and its latitudinal expansion, this region has deciduous

vegetation below 40º° latitude and coniferous vegetation on and above 40º latitude. Quite often, we call
it a mixed forest – a forest consisting of coniferous and broad-leaved trees. Characteristic dominant
broadleaf trees in this biome include oaks, beeches, maples, and birches. Actually, the term “mixed
forest” comes from the inclusion of coniferous trees as a canopy component of these forests. Typical
coniferous trees are pines, firs, and spruces. In some areas of this biome, for example around and above
40ºff° latitude, the conifers may be a more important canopy species than the broadleaf species.
Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests occur in areas with distinct warm and cool season, which give
it a moderate annual average temperature (3º C to 16º°C). These forests occur in relatively warm and
rainy climates, sometimes also with a distinct dry season as it prevails in the winter in East Asia and
in summer on the wet fringe of the Mediterranean climate zones. Temperate Monsoon Climate is also
favourable for sericulture or silk production at commercial level.
(d) Animals: Eastern margin temperate climatic region has mammals like otter, fox, wildcat, armadillo,
anteater and puma. Amongst the marine animals are dolphins and whales. Noted reptiles like lizards
and vipers crisscross the region. Interestingly enough, bats are the only surviving indigenous land
mammals in New Zealand. Variety of bird species add attraction to the animal profile of this region.
Birds like herons, swans, storks and ducks are common here. Rheas are large, flightless birds with gray-
brown plumage (feathers), long legs and long necks.

Words and terms you would like to know

Manchuria: historical name for the mountainous region of north-eastern China comprising the modern-day provinces
of Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning
Drought (n.): a long period of extremely dry weather when there is not enough rain for the successful growing of crops
or the replenishment of water supplies
Chaparral (n.): a dense thicket of bushes or small trees, especially of evergreen oaks; Chaparral vegetation
is shaped by a Mediterranean climate (mild, wet winters and hot dry summers) and wildfire. Chaparral vegetations in
general include summer-drought-tolerant plants with hard evergreen leaves.
Aerial (adj.): living, happening or moving in the air
Marsupial (n): animal with pouch; a mammal, e.g. a kangaroo having no placenta and bearing immature young that
are developed in a pouch on the mother's abdomen.

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Chlorophyll (n.): green plant pigment used in photosynthesis; the pigment in plants that captures the light energy
required for photosynthesis. In plants and algae, chlorophyll is contained within numerous minute membranous sacs
chloroplasts within cells of the stems and leaves.
Burrow (n.): a hole or tunnel dug as a living space by a small animal such as a rabbit

Activities

1. Hold a discussion on “Temperate Climatic Zone” by making pairs in the classroom. Prepare a descrip-
tion on the important features of the ‘temperate climate’ and share with the entire class.

2. Find out by means of a group research why temperate monsoon climate is suitable for sericulture or silk
farming.

3. Make a list of all the temperate grasslands and show them all on a map of the world.
4. Give reasons why the ‘Mediterranean Climatic Region’ receives rainfall in winter.
5. Mark the following points on a blank map of the world:

I. Sub-polar low pressure belts, Japan, Mediterranean sea, Portugal, Labrador current, Newfoundland,
Murray-Darling River, Polar Easterly winds, Siberia

II. Gulf of Mexico, Westerly winds, Rocky Mountains, Cape Town, New Zealand, Tasmania, Chile,
Chaparral, Manchuria, California current

Exercise

1. Compare and contrast the climatic conditions of ‘Mediterranean Climatic Region’ with that of ‘Temperate
Grassland Climatic Region’.

2. Explain the reasons for rainfall throughout the year in ‘Temperate Maritime Climate’.
3. Highlight the main features of Temperate Monsoon Climate.
4. Specify the similarities and dissimilarities between the Temperate Monsoon Climate and the Tropical

Monsoon Climate.
5. Differentiate between Savanna and Steppe.
6. How do temperate grasses survive fire in the Steppe biome?
7. Point out the chief characteristics of deciduous and coniferous forests with examples.

Community Work

Hilly region and mountains in Nepal show the features of temperate climatic zone till the altitude of 3,500
m. Bring out the similarities of climatic conditions, varieties of flora and fauna between different climatic
regions of Temperate Zone and different Hilly regions of Nepal. Record your findings along with the relevant
photographs and submit the same to your Social Studies teacher.

210 Nova Social Studies Grade-10 >>

Lesson Temperate Climatic Zone – Human
Activities (Life Patterns)
5

The Earth’s temperate zones are those lying between the tropical and Polar Regions. The classic temperate
habitat is the temperate deciduous forest, but this climate also includes grasslands and coniferous woodlands.
The temperate climatic zone incorporates a large number of countries, from the United States and Canada in
the west, to Russia and China in the east and then from the cold north of Sweden to the hot south of Spain.
In this vast geographical expansion, there are some commonalities along with differences in the ways people
live their life in different climatic regions across the continents.

Temperate zone is characterized by fruit-farming (orchard).
Climates in the temperate zone do not have clear divisions in seasons like spring, summer, autumn and
winter. The temperate zones are known for their large-scale adoption of technology – every single part of
temperate human society has been either computerized or simplified by technology. One cannot imagine life
without technology such as constant access to the internet, TV, telephone, motor vehicles, rails, air-plane or
central heating. People enjoy high standard of life having high per capita income, life expectancy and quality
education. Most of the places in the temperate zone are urbanized due to industrialization. People are highly
trained and skilled in their respective field of work. Agricultural productions are very high due to the use
of the latest technologies and scientific research in farm activities and animal husbandry. More and more
people are engaged in the service sectors followed by industry and agriculture.
A temperate desert is a barren area of land where little precipitation occurs (less than 40 inches; 1 inch = 2.54
cm) in a year. Temperate desert climate is arid with hot (dry) summers and cold (snowy) winters. The Great
Basin Desert is an example of a temperate desert. It encompasses the Great Salt Lake area and southern Utah,
most of Nevada and portions of Oregon, Wyoming and Colorado in the USA. The settled life style with
regular agriculture is very difficult here. Since the people living in the temperate desert region need to move
from one place to another, they use basket instead of mud or metal pots making the same easy to hold and
carry. This area is getting barren due to the overgrazing of flora like Sagebrush and wildflowers.
Below are the descriptions of human life patterns (activities) in different climatic regions of the temperate
zone:

A. Way (or Pattern) of Human Life in the Mediterranean Climatic Region

The influence of Mediterranean climate is found in all the five continents such as Italy, Greece and France
in Europe, Cape Town in South Africa, California in United States and Southern Australia. Most of these
regions are developed in agriculture, industry and foreign trade. More specifically, cultivation of citrus
fruits is very popular in Mediterranean regions. Viticulture or grape cultivation is a Mediterranean
specialty grown through intensive farming. Grapes raised in different parts of the Mediterranean lands

211<< Nova Social Studies Grade-10

require not only good conditions of moisture, temperature and soil but also much personal care, if the
grapes are to be of high quality. The great variation in relief, climate, soil and methods of preparation has
produced many famous wines. Italy is one of the leading nations in the production of grapes and ranks
among the world’s foremost wine producers. It is true for France too because the warm, dry Mediterranean
region offers a good environment for growing many kinds of grapes and thus France has emerged as the
second largest producer of wine, behind Italy. Quality wines are produced more broadly, in Burgundy,
around the city of Bordeaux (pronounced as bawr-do), in the Rhône Valley, in Champagne, and along the
Loire River in France. Champagne area covers an arid, chalk plateau and is best known as the home of the
sparkling white wine named after the region. Nearly all exported French champagne comes from the area
around the cities of Reims and Épernay. Wines are also produced in the Mediterranean lands of Australia,
South Africa and South America, though these are not as famous as European wine.
Fruit production (mainly apples, pears, and peaches) is largely concentrated in the Rhône and Garonne
valleys in France and in the Mediterranean region. Orchard crops like apples, oranges, peaches, pears,
figs, dates, and nuts are special attractions of the Mediterranean regions in the world more particularly
in Greece, Italy and France. Other Mediterranean fruit crops, such as mandarins, loquats, persimmons,
pomegranates, pistachios, carob pods, and cactus pears, are important crops in many Mediterranean
countries: Spain, Portugal through Southern France to Italy, Greece, Turkey, and the Middle East through
Morocco and Tunisia to Egypt. Because of this dominance of fruit and vegetable farming in Mediterranean
regions, this climate is famous as “orchard of the world”.

Italian vineyard Orchard farming (Pomegranate)

The main produce of commercial importance in the Mediterranean climate is fruits. Olives, dates, figs,
grapes, oranges and lemons are produced on a commercial scale, and for export. These are exported as
fresh, canned or dried fruits or in the forms of jams, extracts like in a powdered form and wine. Fruits are
sometimes raised on unirrigated ground and draw their moisture supply from deep in the soil. Irrigation
is, however, practised in many areas, especially California, Israel and parts of France, Spain and Italy.
Olives and figs are indigenous to the Mediterranean region and can survive even on thin, calcareous soil
with very little precipitation.

Vegetables are also grown in the lower Rhône and Mediterranean areas; Italy also is one of the world’s
leading producers of olives and olive oil. Olive oil is an important part of the Mediterranean diet. Chief field
crops include sugar beets, maize, wheat, tomatoes, potatoes, barley, lettuce, soybeans. Dairy farming is a
major industry in both France and Italy as about 50 kinds of cheese are produced in Italy and France is the
second largest producer of cheese after the United States.

As a whole, Mediterranean countries are well developed in all the three economic sectors namely agriculture,
industry and services.

B. Way (or Pattern) of Human Life in the Temperate Grassland Climate

Temperate grasslands are rich in having pasture and agriculture lands. However, improper or unsustainable

212 Nova Social Studies Grade-10 >>

way of doing agriculture breaks up the unique and complex structure of soil in the grasslands to make the
soil vulnerable to erosion. Low rainfall in the grassland makes its soils inherently fertile because soluble
nutrients in the soil are not washed away, and due to the absence of a tree canopy, the flourishing grasses
have built up organically rich topsoil. Consequently, native grasslands of the north temperate regions have
become the haven for grain crops such as corn and wheat. With proper farming techniques, temperate
grasslands will support agricultural activities indefinitely.

Intensive wheat cultivation in the temperate grasslands makes it the ‘Breadbasket of the world’.
As of now, a large area of the grasslands has been under the plough and humans have converted the most
productive temperate grasslands into the breadbasket of the world dominated by monoculture of cereal
crops. This has earned the nickname for temperate grasslands as “granary of the world” or the “breadbasket
of the world”. Unfortunately, this monoculture has worsened the ecological environment of the temperate
grasslands and deteriorated the quality of the soil.

Sheep Farming in Australia Cattle Ranch in Argentina

Temperate grasslands provide a great habitat for cattle (and livestock) farming. For example, Australian
grassland areas called ‘downs’ provide a base for sheep farming while Argentinean pampas caters to big
ranches where animals for meat are reared. Australian sheep farming is world famous as it exports wool to
the rest of the world. Similarly, Argentina earns revenue from selling (exports) high quality meat all over
the world.

C. Way (or Pattern) of Human Life in the Temperate Maritime Climate

Vast areas of deciduous forests have lost land to farms and towns. Although people are trying to protect
the forests, some poachers are trying to kill the animals in the forests. The animals are losing their homes
because of people building their homes. Once, deciduous forest located in the temperate zone above the
tropical forests and below the coniferous forests dotted most of Europe and North America but now

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agricultural regions have sprung up after cutting down the forest. Most of the forests have been cleared
for agriculture. Climate of this region keeps the people energetic and productive throughout the year.
Livestock husbandry is practiced in all the major countries such as England, Scotland, Ireland, New
Zealand and Chile experiencing this climatic condition. Hill sheep and lambs are reared for wool and
meat respectively. The production of lambs for meat rather than wool is the main concern of English sheep
farmers and they grow special beef breeds too, for which Britain is famous throughout the world. Since
most parts of Scotland have hilly or marginal land, sheep farming is more popular in the Uplands and
Highlands.

Livestock husbandry in New Zealand Dairy farming in England

The specialized climatic conditions of western margin have enabled highly productive pastoral farming,
extensive sheep grazing and large-scale milk production by dairy farming. This has acted as the most
attractive economic field for entrepreneurs to explore profitable business. A heavy investment has been
made for improving the quality and purpose of land (including the introduction of European grasses and
regular application of imported fertilizers), and highly skilled farm management by owner-occupiers.

Western margin of the continents have good economy. For example, main food crops in this region are
wheat, barley, corn (maize), oats and potatoes. The production of vegetables, fruits and flowers holds
significance in agriculture. Kent in England is a major supplier of fruits and vegetables (apples, pears,
black currants, cauliflowers, and cabbages), Worcestershire is famous for its plums, and Somerset and
Devon specialize in cider apples. People enjoy high standard of life in this region.

D. Way (or Pattern) of Human Life in the Temperate Monsoon Climate

Temperate Monsoon climate favours agricultural activities and fishing in the eastern pacific region but
regular agriculture is not that easy in the areas of Labrador and Newfoundland. Tourism is very popular
in the region of temperate monsoon climate and industrialization has reached up its peak employing
many people and spurring the growth of service sector. On the eastern Pacific side, agricultural products
like wheat, soybean, peanut, beet, apple, pear and vegetables are grown. Japan is famous for producing
rice and fish along with sugar beets, potatoes, cabbages and citrus fruits. Moreover, Japan is the leading
exporter of automobiles, steel, ships, machine tools, and electronic equipment. Rapid industrialization in
South Korea has pulled many families from agriculture towards urban centres. Even then, agriculture is the
mainstay of the people of South Korea. About 17 percent of the land in South Korea is under cultivation and
rice is the chief food crop. Other leading crops are soybeans, red peppers, barley, cabbages, watermelons,
onions, radishes, corn and sweet potatoes. Apples, oranges, grapes, persimmons, pears, and peaches are
major fruits along with fiber crops like cotton, hemp, and silk. Livestock include pigs, cattle, and goats.
South Korea specializes in producing several kinds of equipment related to telecommunications, sound and
transportation. South Korea is also famous for shipbuilding industry.

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Fishing Industry in Japan Industry in South Korea

The climatic conditions of eastern margin of America do not support regular practice of agricultural activities
because of short growing season and not having suitable soil. However, root vegetables like potatoes,
turnips and carrots are grown in this part of the world. For example, Labrador grows vast amount of ‘wild
berries’ that makes one of the important agricultural items for exports. Furthermore, livestock and its related
products such as chickens, dairy products, and eggs generate more than 75 percent of the agricultural income
to the provincial economy. The coastal waters of Newfoundland and Labrador constitute one of the world’s
best zones for fishing and fisheries. The Labrador Current is a cold current in the North Atlantic Ocean
which flows from the Arctic Ocean along the coast of Labrador and passes around Newfoundland. This
cold current meets the warm Gulf Stream at the Grand Banks southeast of Newfoundland. The combination
of these two currents produces heavy fogs and makes one of the richest fishing grounds in the world. This
is the reason aquaculture (fish farming) has acquired great importance here with catching of variety of
fishes like salmon, steelhead trout, and mussels and small fishing fleet remain standing on many of the
harbours here. Tourism brings many visitors to Newfoundland and Labrador due to its majestic coastal
scenery, its parks and vast wilderness areas, and its numerous historic sites, including the early Viking
(Scandinavians) settlement. Visiting tourists call for cruise ships at the popular port of St. John’s during the
summer cruise season. Processed fish and seafood, newsprint, and refined petroleum are the three most
important manufactured goods in ‘Newfoundland and Labrador’ and they account for more than 95 percent
of all manufactured exports together. The most important mineral of this place is iron ore, which accounts
for more than 90 percent of the value of mineral production and establishes Canada as a leading producer
of iron ore in the world.

Words and terms you would like to know

Intensive farming: Intensive farming uses large amounts of labour and resources on the land area by applying
fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation systems to achieve a high yield (productivity per hectare) in order to make profit.
Intensive farming uses high-tech machinery to grow crops and raise livestock.
Monoculture (n): Monoculture is the practice of producing (growing) a single crop, plant, or livestock species, variety
or breed in a field (farming system) at a time year after year. Poly-culture, in which more than one crop is grown in the
same space at the same time, is the alternative to monoculture.
Canned (adj.): preserved by being sealed into an airtight metal container
Spur (v.): encourage, promote
Livestock (n.): animals raised for food or other products, or kept for use, especially farm animals such as meat and
dairy cattle, pigs, and poultry
Ranch (n.): a farm where cattle, sheep, horses, or other livestock are raised on large tracts of open land

215<< Nova Social Studies Grade-10

Activities

1. What are the reasons behind such a large scale of wheat cultivation and animal husbandry in the tem-
perate grasslands of Prairies (North America) and Steppes (Eurasia)? Have a discussion on it in the
classroom and write down the final points as findings.

2. Temperate Desert Region is thinly populated. People of the temperate desert face practical difficulties in
following settled life style and are relatively backward in terms of their standard of life. Hold a discus-
sion in the classroom with regard to backwardness of the people living in the temperate desert region.

3. Make a list of all the major economic activities being practiced in the Temperate Climatic Zone and
present the same in the classroom. Take a big chart-paper to briefly describe the economic activities in
the temperate climate by using markers and sketch pencils of different colours. Display the chart paper
showing the details of economic activities of temperate climate on the wall of your classroom.

Exercise

1. Why are the prairie grassland areas called the granary of the world? Write down the reasons behind it.
2. Highlight the reasons why Australia leads in exporting wool while Argentina leads in exporting meat

in the world.
3. Illustrate the reasons for having a lot of wine industries in the Mediterranean Climatic Region across the

world.
4. Many countries in and around the Mediterranean Climatic Region are being benefitted immensely by

growing fruits. Why and how come this has become possible at all? Give reasons with the help of suit-
able examples.
5. What is monoculture? How does it adversely affect the temperate grasslands?
6. Differentiate the human life patterns of Temperate Monsoon Climate with that of Topical Monsoon
Climate.
7. What are the points of differences in human way of life between the Temperate Maritime Climate and
Temperate Desert?
8. Explain why fishing is a popular economic activity in Labrador and Newfoundland.

216 Nova Social Studies Grade-10 >>

Lesson Cold Climatic Zone – Nature and

6 Types of Climates

Cold zone extends from 60º to 90º N/S latitudes on the Earth. In fact, cold zone begins where temperate zone
ends and extends up to polar arctic ice cap in the Northern Hemisphere and into the Antarctic in Southern
Hemisphere. Following three climatic regions prevail in this zone:
1. Sub-Polar (or Siberian) Climatic Region or Taiga Biome (from 60º N to 65º° N)
2. Polar Climatic Region or Tundra Biome (from 65º N to 75º N)
3. The Ice Cap Climate or Polar Deserts (on the extreme pole beyond 75º N/S)
Let us understand the details of each of the climatic regions or biomes that fall under cold zone.

1. Sub-Polar Climatic Region or Siberian Taiga Biome

(a) Location and Distribution: Sub-polar climatic region extends from 60º°N to 65º N between the temperate
zone and polar arctic ice cap and is a more or less continuous belt of cone-shaped trees most popularly
known as Taiga biome. This sub-arctic terrain or taiga climate is dominated by cold arctic air and extends
from Alaska, to Canada, Scandinavia, and Russia. This climate prevails in the northern hemisphere only,
because there is not enough land mass in the southern hemisphere to create a taiga climate there. The
taiga is located near the top of the world stretching predominantly over the Siberia region of Russia, just
below the tundra biome. This reason is occasionally called the Siberian Climate too. Since this climatic
region is located at the lower part of ‘Arctic Circle’, it is also known as Subarctic Climate.

Sub-Polar (or Siberian) Climatic Region or Taiga Biome across the World
(b) Climate: Bitter cold air from the Arctic Circle lowers down the temperature in Taiga (Sub-Polar Climate)

region and the temperatures fall even more on cloudless clear nights. Because of earth’s tilt, the taiga
is turned away from the sun in the winter and less of the sun’s radiation reaches the ground to warm
it up. Winter, with its freezing cold temperatures, lasts for six to seven months and temperatures may
drop to 40º°C. For half of the year, the average temperature is below freezing point. Summer is a rainy,
warm and short season in the taiga. The spring and autumn are so short that one may not notice them.
Spring brings flowers, the frozen ponds melt, and the animals come out from hibernation. Temperatures

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in summer generally vary from the freezing point to 30º C. The summers are mostly warm, rainy and
humid and an average temperature over 10º C is reported for fewer than four months during summer.
This type of climate offers some of the most extreme seasonal temperature variations found on the planet.
The total precipitation (as rain, snow and dew) in a year is 30 – 85 cm and most of the precipitation in
the taiga falls as rain in the summer. They are also very short with about 50 to 100 frost-free days.
(c) Vegetation: Taiga is the dominant vegetation in sub-polar climate or sub-arctic terrain. Taiga is the
Russian word which means the forest having needle like leaves and is the largest biome in the world
spreading all around North America and Eurasia in northern hemisphere. Taiga is also famous as ‘boreal
forest’. Many evergreen coniferous trees dot the taiga vegetation and thus earn the name as coniferous
forest. Coniferous trees such as pine, white spruce, hemlock and ‘Douglas fir’ are specially adapted with
their needle-shaped leaves to survive here.

Coniferous Trees and Their Fruits and Leaves
d. Animals: The taiga does not have as many animal species as the tropical or the deciduous forest biomes.

It does have millions of insects in the summer time. Birds migrate there every year to nest and feed. Ani-
mals of the taiga tend to be predators like the lynx and members of the weasel family like wolverines,
bobcats, minks and ermines. They hunt herbivores like snowshoe rabbits, red squirrels and voles. Red
deer, elk, and moose are spotted in regions of the taiga where more deciduous trees around streams
and lakes grow.

Bob Cat Gray Fox Red Fox Wolverine

Many insect eating birds come to the taiga to breed. They leave when the breeding season is over.
Seedeaters like finches and sparrows, and omnivorous birds like crows stay all year long.

2. Polar Climatic Region or Tundra Biome

(a) Location or Distribution: The arctic tundra occupies earth’s Northern hemisphere, circling the North
Pole between 65º N to 75º N latitudes. Although the tundra is associated with polar climates, it should
not be confused with polar ice regions (icecaps) or the cold coniferous forests of the taiga biome. The
tundra is found along the nearly unbroken upper margins of Eurasia and North America. This includes

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parts of Scandinavia, a vast stretch of Siberia, western Alaska, the Northwest Territory, the Canadian
territory of Nunavut, upper Quebec, and the coastlines of Greenland.
(b) Climate: Tundra is more like a transitional climate between the sub-arctic regions and the ice caps. It
is an unusually cold and dry climate. Only about 6 - 10 inches (15 to 25 cm) of precipitation (mostly
snow) falls each year. It is cold through all months of the year. Coupled with strong and drying winds,
the tundra is an extreme weather biome. The tundra seems like a wet and soggy place because the
precipitation that falls evaporates slowly, and because of the poor drainage caused by the permafrost.
Thus, Tundra climate is characterized by harsh winters, low average temperatures, little snow or rainfall,
and a short summer season. The sun does not set beyond the Arctic Circle for a considerable number
of days in mid-summer. The amount of sunlight at mid night is only one-tenth of the total light that it
receives in the noon. In fact, summer is a brief period of milder climates when the sun shines almost 24
hours a day and hence tundra is famous as “the land of the midnight sun”. The sun never sets during at
least one day in summer beyond the Arctic Circle. The number of days when the sun is or is not visible
during the entire day increases towards the north.

Polar Climatic Region (or Tundra) across the World
However, even the sun cannot warm the tundra much. The short summers last only for 6 to 10 weeks

and the days are long (a result of the high latitude), but they are often cloudy. Summers are generally
mild and the temperature in summer usually varies from 15º to 18º C. The mean temperature of the
warmest month is less than 10º C. Winters are long and cold (temperatures may be below 0º°C for 6
to 10 months) beyond the Arctic Circle. On the Greenland ice cap average mid-winter temperatures
are -33º°C, whereas the record low temperature of -68º°C has been recorded in north-eastern Siberia.
Winter temperatures in the adjacent coastal settlements are moderated by the relatively warm ocean
and register a mean temperature of -7º°C in the same period.
(c) Vegetation: The tundra is not quite cold enough to be arctic, but it is also an area mostly devoid of trees,
unlike other sub-arctic regions. Most of the vegetation consists of grass, moss, lichens, and small shrubs.
Tundra comes from the Finnish word “tunturia”, which means a barren land or treeless plain. The
ground is under permanent cover of frozen ice from 10 inches to 3 feet (or, 25 to around 100 cm) deep
down the ground thereby not allowing the trees to grow there. Still, the tundra is host to a surprising
number of plants and animals, and represents a fascinating evidence of nature’s adaptability, and ‘harsh
beauty’. The plants that do survive in the frozen landscapes are extremely resilient, and their roots are
close to the surface of the hard soil in order to intake what little water falls upon the ground; most of the
arctic tundra’s plant life consists of shrubbery or heath, lichen, moss, and flowers. Lichens can survive
for long periods without water. They just dry out and go dormant when there is little water or light and
begin to grow again even after very long periods of dormancy. Plants in the tundra tend to be perennial.
Similarly, bearberry is a low growing plant in tundra particularly in Alaska, Greenland and Iceland
that can stay out of the wind chill and possess fine silky hairs along with leathery leaves to help keep it
warm.

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The Labrador Tea grows in bogs in the lower latitudes of the tundra biome. Bees are attracted to the
flowers, but animals do not eat them because they are said to be slightly poisonous.

(d) Animals: Many animals, such as hares, caribous, foxes, squirrels, lemmings, and shrews make their
home on the tundra but require specific adaptations such as heavy coats of fur, short-limbs, heat-efficient
bodies, longer reproduction cycles (trout, for instance, take ten years instead of six to reach maturity),
ability to camouflage, and the ability to hibernate. Lemmings are sub-arctic rodents with furry body
and furry feet whereas shrews are small nocturnal animals that look like a mouse but are an insectivore
having velvety fur, a long pointed snout, small eyes and small ears. Animals such as Reindeer and
Caribou feed on lichen during the coldest periods of the season because lichens are widely spread
vegetation available as food for them in comparison to other vegetation. Lichens have ample amount of
carbohydrates that give the caribou energy to maintain their ‘body heat’.

Caribou have special microorganisms in their stomachs that let them digest lichen.
Icy rivers through the tundra to the Arctic Ocean are home to trout, salmon and other freshwater fish.

Sometimes rainfall produces small, temporary ponds, which serve as breeding areas for flies and
mosquitoes.
Other animal species in the tundra region are polar bears, seals, musk oxen, grey wolves, rabbits, and
birds such as penguins, falcons, ravens, terns, and loons. Seals are web-footed aquatic mammals that
live chiefly in cold seas and whose body shape, round in the middle and tapered at the ends, are adapted
to swift and graceful swimming. Raven is a large bird belonging to the crow family with glossy black
feathers, a wedge shaped tail and a large beak.

Caribou Polar Bear Snowy Owl

Harp Seal with ‘white-coat’ Hooded Seal

3. The Ice Caps Climate or Polar Deserts

(a) Location or Distribution: The icy north and south poles of the Earth cover millions of square kilometres
of land and oceans in and around 75º N/S in both the hemispheres and beyond it. The North Polar
Region or Arctic biome has a vast frozen ocean whereas the South Polar Region or Antarctica, fifth in
size amongst the World’s continents, has a continental landmass lying beneath a great sheet of ice and
is surrounded by frigid seas. Antarctica and the North American island of Greenland have the largest
continuous ice masses. Ice covers their land areas almost completely.

What are Ice Caps?

An ice cap is an area (50,000 km² or less) covered by ice-mass, most often a highland area. Masses of
ice covering more than 50,000 km² make ice sheet. Ice caps are smaller than ice sheets and are formed
when snow and ice fill a basin or cover a plateau to a considerable depth. There are many ice caps in the

220 Nova Social Studies Grade-10 >>

Canadian Arctic, Alaska, and other heavily glaciated areas as well as in Antarctic regions in South Pole.
When these ice caps become thick enough, tongues of ice overflow the basins and discharge ice through
valley glaciers.
(b) Climate: Cold air does not have much vapour in the ice caps bringing no rain for this region. It is
interesting to note that some of the places in Antarctica did not receive any rain for four million years
and hence have the driest deserts on the earth. Climate in Antarctica relies on two factors: Blizzard and
White Desert. Blizzard is a heavy and severe snowstorm having a minimum speed of 56 km/35 mi per
hour under the temperature condition of -7º C or lower. Antarctica is the coldest continent with the
world’s lowest recorded temperature –89.2º C measured at Vostok Station (Russia) on July 21, 1983, on
the high inland ice sheet. Normally, winter temperature in Antarctica remains around −–60º C. In ice caps
of North Pole, mean monthly temperature never exceeds 0º°C. Since most of the areas at both the poles
are ice-covered, parts of this icy Earth are in motion with glaciers slowly floating downhill towards
the oceans creating cracking sounds quite often. There are some noticeable differences between the
Antarctic and Arctic poles owing to geographical factors (features) affecting the climate. The Arctic is an
ocean surrounded by land, while Antarctica is a continent surrounded by ocean.
(c) Vegetation: The cold desert climate of Antarctica and Arctic regions on extreme poles supports only
an impoverished community of cold-tolerant land plants that are capable of surviving lengthy winter
periods of total or near-total darkness during which photosynthesis is impossible. Growth must occur
in short summer bursts lasting only a few days, a few weeks, or a month or two, depending upon
such diverse factors as latitude, seasonal snow packs, elevation, topographic orientation, wind, and
moisture. During winters when cold is at its peak, all these organisms go into a frozen state of suspended
animation – known as cryo-death. Lichens, although slow growing, are particularly well adapted to
climatic conditions in polar deserts because they can endure lengthy high-stress periods in dormancy
and almost instantly become photosynthetic when conditions improve during summer. Bryophytes
(non-flowering simple plants) like mosses and liverworts grow predominantly in maritime regions in
polar deserts (Ice caps region). However, mosses can grow at the places where lichens grow. Liverworts
dot the coastal and maritime regions. Numerous species of molds, yeasts, and other fungi, as well as
freshwater algae and bacteria, enliven the polar deserts biome.
(d) Animals: The native land fauna in Antarctica is invertebrate. The terrestrial ‘macro fauna’ consists
entirely of arthropods, many species being parasitic on birds and seals, mites, biting lice, springtails,
sucking lice, midges, and fleas. Arthopods are invertebrate animals which have jointed limbs, segmented
body and exoskeleton, e.g. an insect, centipede or crustacean. Animals on the sea bottom of the near
shore zone include the corals, sponges, starfish, and a variety of crustaceans (hard-shelled animals) and
molluscs. Native mammals of Antarctica have marine habitats that include seals, dolphins, and whales.
Whales along with their species range widely from Arctic to Antarctic waters and are found in all oceans
and seas. The killer whale, one of the most intelligent of marine animals, is notorious for hunting in
packs and feeds on larger animals, such as seals, dolphins, penguins, fish, aquatic birds, and other
whales.

 

Antartica Emperor Penguins (Antarctica) Antarctic Petrel

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Antarctic birds, including the flightless penguin, have strong home-instincts (cannot survive elsewhere)
and excellent navigational capability; they have a highly developed sun-azimuth (eastward angle
from the north) orientation system and biological clock mechanism that functions even with the sun
remaining continuously high.

Three bird species —the emperor penguin, Antarctic petrel, and South Polar (McCormick’s) skua—
breed exclusively on the continent or on nearby islands. An absence of mammalian land predators and
the rich offshore food supply make Antarctic coasts a haven for immense seabird rookeries (colonies or
groups of birds such as penguins).

Words and terms you would like to know

Accumulate (v.): collect, increase
Susceptible (adj.): easily affected; likely to be affected
Slant (v.): to be at an angle and not direct
Permafrost (n): permanently frozen land
Perennial (adj.): constantly recurring, or lasting for an indefinite time
Nocturnal (adj.): occurring at night, as opposed to during the day; describes animals that are active at night rather than
during the day

Activities

1. Write down the geographical regions which are the part of cold climatic region from the Atlas.

2. Explain why it is cold in the cold climatic region? Give reasons in your explanation.

3. Analyse the reasons behind such a great difference between the length of day and night in the cold
region.

4. Highlight the similarities and dissimilarities between the mountain regions permanently covered by
snow in Nepal and the cold climatic region beyond 66° on the poles in Tundra region.

Exercise

1. Another name of ‘Sub-Polar Climatic Region’ is the ‘Siberian Climate’. Why is it so? Give reasons.

2. What kind of vegetation is found in Sub-Polar Climate? What are the important features of that
vegetation?

3. Name some of the trees and plants which grow in the Sub-Polar Climate (or Taiga Biome).

4. Explain in detail about Sub-Polar Climate with reference to its occurrence (geographical areas), climatic
conditions, vegetation and animals.

5. What kind of specific adaptations do you notice amongst animals found in the Taiga and Tundra
regions?

6. What kind of vegetation is found in the Polar Climatic Region? Highlight the special features of that
vegetation.

7. What is the “Ice Cap”? Give reasons why the ice caps are known as Polar Deserts.

8. Differentiate between the following highlighting at least four points of differences:

I. Ice caps and Tundra. II. Tundra and Taiga regions. III. Arctic and Antarctica poles

Community Work

While travelling to different places you must have experienced the climatic conditions similar to the cold
climatic zone. Write down your experience and compare with details given by your classmates with reference
to their experiences regarding other climatic conditions such as temperate and tropical zones. Present the
similarities and dissimilarities under two lists.

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Lesson Cold Climatic Zone – Human
Activities (Life Patterns)
7

Life in the cold climatic zone is very difficult. Bitter cold winds whip across the landscape. Winter
temperatures dip into negatives, and the winter night can last for months. Summers are extremely short
with mild temperature. The landscape of this region is almost barren. Millions of people also live in the
Arctic, but Antarctica has no permanent inhabitants. Antarctica is protected by a 1959 treaty that established
the continent as a place to be used only for peace and science. Several thousand scientists and support staff
periodically inhabit Antarctica in pursuit of research. Both Arctic and Antarctic regions are the victim of the
effects of climate-change. The Arctic region has also suffered from pollution, development by the oil and
gas industry, and overfishing. In very cold climates, there is a constant danger of developing hypothermia.
The hypothermia is a life threatening drop in core body temperature to sub-normal levels.  People living in
this region use insulating clothing, houses, and fires to save themselves from the impact of extremely cold
temperatures. People living in harsh sub-arctic regions, such as the Inuit (Eskimo) of the far northern regions
of the western hemisphere and the Indians of Tierra del Fuego at the southern end, traditionally consume
large quantities of high calorie fatty foods.  This is how they are able to significantly increase the basal
metabolic rate, which, in turn, results in the production of extra body heat. They often sleep in a huddle with
their bodies next to each other, and remain active when outdoors.

Inuit man Greenlandic Inuit Man Inuit Woman, Alaska

Below are the details of the way (or pattern) of Human Life in different climatic regions of the Cold Zone:

A. Way (or Pattern) of Human Life in the Sub-Polar Climatic Region

Exploration and exploitation of taiga in the sub-polar climatic region from 60º N to 66º N began in the late
1600s for fur trade in the beginning. Then after, the taiga forest fell to logging on a large scale for lumbering
purposes. Taiga is the richest source of softwood timber and pulpwood in the world. Up to 3 million hectares
of coniferous forest are cut every year and meagre 35 percent only is restored. Much of the forest has slow
rate of regeneration and in many areas, this reckless deforestation for commercial gains has resulted in the
formation of bogs. Bog is an area of wet marshy ground, largely consisting of accumulated decomposing
plant material. It supports vegetation such as craneberries and moss and may ultimately turn into peat.
Removal of trees for firewood coupled with excessive grazing by reindeer has caused southward expansion
of the tundra at the expense of the taiga exactly like the spread of deserts into the African Savanna.

As taiga is rich in minerals like iron ore, gold, coal, petroleum oil and natural gas, the extraction of these
minerals began in the late 1900s and that has caused the adverse effects on the entire biome or climatic region.
Mining peat for fuel, littering of moss and organic soils for the horticulture trade have caused irreparable
damage to taiga’s delicate ecology causing ‘environmental imbalance’.

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Thus, the taiga biome is being threatened by deforestation and mining. Many animals are being put into
danger by these environmental threats like the endangered Siberian crane, Amur and Siberian tiger. This
geographic area is being polluted by factors like emissions in the air due to the expansion of urban areas
(towns and cities), oil spills when tankers crash into icebergs, the coal- and oil-powered boats and so on. The
mines in this region are blown up to extract ore but the harsh explosions kill wildlife and disrupt the areas.
This area is a common hunting ground for poachers who kill large number of species that are already in
endangered list. Agriculture is not the favourite economic activity here due to short summer with less than
100 frost-free days. However, crops like wheat, potatoes, barley, oats, beetroots and turnips are grown here
in and around areas bordering temperate grassland steppe for local consumption.

B. Way (or Pattern) of Human Life in the Polar (Tundra) Climatic Region

Human activities in the tundra have generally not been a positive one. Recent human activities have
largely undermined the habitat of the indigenous wildlife through pollution and so-called development.
The overhunting of endangered species for food and fur has resulted in the near extinction of animals
such as the musk oxen in the Alaskan tundra, polar bears near Arctic Ocean and caribou near the border
of sub-arctic terrain. Furthermore, industrial activities have severely damaged the tundra biome. For
example, oil drilling pollutes the water, land and air surrounding the tundra. Russia’s nickel mines serve
as a vivid example of the effect that oil drilling can have on the Tundra biome. Many plants and animals
have either been killed or have permanently fled the area due to industrial pollution and unregulated
drilling/mining. Oil spills have been as detrimental to tundra biome as they have been to ocean life. Air
pollution caused by modern vehicles and industries leads to the release of chlorofluorocarbons, which
deplete the ozone layer and expose the tundra to harmful ultraviolet rays. Pollution particles, gathering in
thick clouds, are absorbed by the plant life and eventually contaminate the food source for animals in the
region. Building roads and structures in the tundra for commercial exploitation of this biome has attracted
much more human traffic to this fragile ecology. Lastly, this kind of profit seeking industrial economic
activities has increased the possibility of global warming in the region. Rising temperatures due to global
warming will melt glaciers and permafrost causing flood in the surrounding areas and killing the delicate
plant and animal species.
Traditional Human Life-Pattern: Eskimos or Inuit (for Alaska: Inupiat–Yupik) are indigenous people
who have traditionally inhabited the circumpolar region from eastern Siberia (Russia), across Alaska
(United States), Canada, and Greenland. Eskimo refers to two main groups – Yupik and Inuit. Eskimo
culture developed in Alaska approximately 4,000 years ago. The term Eskimo has become pejorative (out
of favour) in Canada and Greenland and therefore the term Inuit is preferred to Eskimo, instead.

Yupik or Inupiat Family, Alaska Inuit hunter and his 13-sled dog team in Greenland

Eskimos or Inuit who live in Alaska call themselves Yupik whose lives are dependent upon harvesting
of marine mammals, especially seals, walrus and whales. They also trade with neighbouring reindeer
breeders and others. Hunting methods include harpooning from shore or boats, spearing animals in land
drives, and, now, the use of guns has become common. Inuit in extreme northern hemisphere have auxiliary
activities like hunting fur-bearing animals, fishing, and collecting plant food. Kayaks (one-person, closed

224 Nova Social Studies Grade-10 >>

skin boats), Baidarkas (open, flat-bottomed boats), and whaleboats provide coastal transportation; dog
teams and sleds are used on land.

Summerhouse or Hunting Tent Laminar Armor worn by Inuit in Siberia

The Inuits are nomads who are engaged in hunting for their survival and sustenance. Although many
Inuit now live in fixed settlements throughout the newly autonomous Canadian territory of Nunavut,
Alaska (United States) and Siberian region (Russia) some of them still maintain their traditional hunting
customs. Pictured here is an Inuit standing next to his summerhouse (also known as Tupik), a tent made
of walrus or seal hides especially for hunting and Inuit from Siberia wearing “laminar armor” made from
hardened leather reinforced by wood and bones.

During winter, Inuits live in specially constructed thermo-proof house known as “Igloo”. Igloo – a snow
house is a temporary shelter during hunting seasons in the late winter and spring. Presently, all the Inuits
do not live in traditional houses and they do not practice total nomadic life-style. However, the skill of
making summerhouse and igloo can still be used today in regular life and in emergencies or for fun as part
of the transfer of traditional knowledge from one generation to next generations.

Eskimo (Inuit) family in an Igloo lit with Kudlik (Oil Lamp): Igloo

C. Way (or Pattern) of Human Life in the Polar Deserts (Antarctica Region)

In general, ice caps regions in north and south poles are not fit for human habitation. The northern end of the
Earth (North Pole) lies in the Arctic Ocean, about 450 miles (725 km) north of Greenland and the Southern
Pole i.e. the southern end of the Earth’s axis, lies in Antarctica, about 300 miles (480 km) south of the Ross
Ice Shelf.
Antarctica does not and has never had an indigenous population. Antarctica has been discovered with no
indigenous population originally claiming to have lived there for hundreds or thousands of years before
its “discovery”. In fact, there are two categories of people who travel there: One category of people belongs

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to those who live and work on scientific research stations or bases. Another category belongs to tourists
who visit the place just for sight-seeing. No-one lives in Antarctica indefinitely as it happens in the other
parts of the world. Therefore, Antarctica has no commercial industries, no towns or cities and of course no
permanent residents.

Scientists engaged in research in Antarctica Tourists visiting Antarctica for sight-seeing

Only scientific bases with relatively longer “settlements” having scientists and supporting staff stay
there for some months or a year, maybe two. Most of them prefer to stay in Antarctica for their scientific
research during summer. Summer lasts from October/November to March/April and the rest of the year is
considered to be winter. Thus, Antarctica has become the continent of science and countries with strength
of science and technology such as the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Poland,
Japan and India have constructed scientific research and exploration stations there. The human presence
in Antarctica has introduced the mammals such as sheep, rabbits, dogs, cats, rats and mice to Antarctica.
Dogs and cats decimate the bird populations while humans kill the ‘whales’ and ‘fur seals’ for economic
benefits. The human settlements though in thin clusters have not been without its environmental side-
effects. For example, pollutants created due to human camps and settlements have cast adverse effects on
local ecosystems. Even so, Antarctica remains by far the least disturbed and distracted land on Earth as
access to Antarctica is restricted by the Antarctic Treaty. The provisions of Antarctica Treaty (December 01,
1959) have imposed mandatory obligations on all the countries to conserve Antarctica and to assure for the
‘scientific discovery’ as only human activity in this region.

Words and terms you would like to know

Insulate (v.): to protect or isolate somebody from something, especially from something unpleasant or undesirable; to
prevent or reduce the passage of heat, electricity, or sound into, from, or through something, especially by surrounding
it with some material

Huddle (v.): to gather together in a tightly packed group, or make people or things do this

Logging (n.): the job of felling, trimming, and transporting trees

Lumber (v.): to cut down the trees in a region and convert them into salable lumber

Reckless (adj.): without thought of danger

Exploration (n.): a careful investigation or study of something such as data, a particular subject, or possible courses of
action

Activities

1. Inuit – an indigenous group which lives in the northern part of the cold climatic region is getting trans-
formed (changed) in their way of life (human pattern of living) year after year. Analyze the reasons
behind the change in the way of life of Inuit.

2. Write down the economic significance of Taiga in points.

3. Generally, the people who live in the northern pole region are from the developed and rich countries.
Even then, the people who live in the Cold Climatic Zone are far away from modern life, education and
science and technology. Why is this so? Give logical reasons.

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4. Compare and contrast the life form (pattern) of backward people from your local area of residence with
the life pattern of those living in the North Polar region. Also make a list of similarities and dissimilari-
ties between them.

5. Organize an interaction program amongst a teacher on one side and the students on the other side. Hold
a discussion on types of trees and forest which are found in the Taiga.

6. Why do we get specific bird Penguin only in the Antarctica region? Hold a discussion amongst the stu-
dents involving a teacher to find out the reasons behind it.

Exercise

1. Illustrate the main human activities of the cold climatic zone.

2. What is meant by Igloo? Who uses it and why?

3. Tundra climate is under threat. What are the imminent threats? Mention any two such threats.

4. Define the following terms: Permafrost soil, Kayaks, Baidarkas

5. Why is the ‘Polar Climatic Region’ known as the land of the midnight sun?

6. Industrial activities in tundra biome have disturbed the delicate environment of the Polar Climatic
Region. Comment with suitable examples.

7. What were the patterns of life-style followed by the indigenous tribes earlier in polar climatic region
and what changes do we notice now?

8. Critically analyze the life-style of the indigenous tribes (peoples) living in Tundra and Temperate grass-
lands. Highlight the similarities and dissimilarities in their life-patterns with examples.

9. Examine the patterns of adaptations exhibited by both plants and animals in Tundra biome and com-
pare them with animals and plants from the Temperate Maritime Climate.

10. Explain the reasons why Antarctica has become the research and exploration centre and has thus attract-
ed a number of scientists and explorers from different branches of science? Provide logical answers.

11. Following animals survive in the extremely cold climate. Give reasons for their survival in such a cold
climate. [You can discuss this with your teacher before you attempt to write an answer.]

Penguin Polar Bear Seal

12. What do you mean by cryo-death? Write with relevant example.

13. Introduce the Killer Whale and South Polar Skua.

Project Work

1. Make two groups in the classroom. Assign a task to find out similarities between the Taiga (Sub-Polar
Climatic Region) and the Upper Hill Region of Nepal to the first group. Now, assign another task to find
out dissimilarities between the Sub-Polar Climatic Region and the Upper Hill Region.

2. What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the Himalayan region of Nepal and the Polar re-
gion of the Earth? Write it neatly on the chart-paper using colour pencils and colour-sketch pen. Present
the same in the classroom.

227<< Nova Social Studies Grade-10

Lesson Flora (Vegetation) and Fauna
(Animals) across the World
8

Relationship amongst Climate, Vegetation (flora) and Animal Life (Fauna)

A large geographical area of distinctive plant and animal groups, which are adapted to that particular
environment, is known as biome. Actually, a biome is defined as a major regional community of plants
and animals with similar life forms and environmental conditions. Normally, biomes are named after the
dominant type of life forms because plants and animals living in a particular biome are unique to it. Most
often, a climatic region within a climatic zone signifies a specific biome. Each and every biome across the
world is a unique example of special relationship between the flora (vegetations) and fauna (animals) in
response to specific climate present there. For example, equatorial rain forest is famous as selvas, tropical
grassland as savanna and temperate grassland as steppe or the prairie. Similarly, sub-polar climatic region
is known as taiga biome whereas polar climatic region in the North Pole is the tundra biome. Type of biome
is dependent upon the climate and geography of a region. Major biomes in the world are deserts, forests,
grasslands, tundra, and several types of aquatic environments. The climate of a region determines what
plants will grow there, and what animals will inhabit it. All three components - climate, plants and animals
- are interwoven to create the fabric of a biome about which we have already read in the previous chapters
while learning about different climatic regions.
Each biome contains a number of ecosystems whose communities have adapted to the small differences
in climate and the environment inside the biome. Environment and life (both plants and animals along
with humans) are interrelated. Any change in terms of increase or decrease of a species in one part of the
environment creates a ripple effect of change in another part of the environment. Thus, all the organisms –
big or small co-exist together and there is interdependence between the living and non-living things in the
environment.
The vegetation includes all plants form from evergreen forests to grassy meadows and cropland. The
influence of climate on vegetation is not just one-sided. Vegetation too influences the climate. There exists
reciprocal relationship between climate and vegetation and they continue to exist in symbiosis. All types of
plants play a role in both the water cycle and the earth’s energy balance. They affect weather and climate
mostly through evapotranspiration (the return of moisture to the air through evaporation from the soil and
transpiration by plants) and albedo (the sunrays or light reflected by the plant to the atmosphere). At the
same time, there is predictability of certain vegetation characteristics at regional and global scales because of
the specific climatic conditions prevailing in a particular geographical area. And each kind of vegetation has
its own variety of animals which survive only in that specific climatic condition. We have already seen this
special relationship which exists between vegetation and animals in response to climate.
There are mainly three types of forest around the world:
1. Tropical Evergreen Rainforest: Tropical evergreen rainforests are found from 5º°N to 5º°S latitudes on
both sides of the equator. The tropical evergreen rainforest is a hot and moist biome found near the Earth’s
equator. The world's largest tropical rainforests are in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Tropical
rainforests receive more than 2000 mm (200cm) of rainfall. The tropical rainforest is the home to many
plants and animals making it the greatest biodiversity in the world. Over 15 million species of plants and
animals live within this biome. The constant warmth, supply of water and a wide variety of food for the
animals are some of the important factors which support a greater number and variety of animals in the
tropical rainforest than any other biome. Small animals like monkeys, birds, snakes, rodents, frogs, and
lizards usually live on the branches of trees except the big heavy animals such as elephants, tigers, bears,
pythons, rhinoceros, crocodiles and others. Small animals use the tall trees and understory for shelter. They
hide themselves from their predators. There is a huge competition amongst the animals for food and many
animals have adapted themselves to a unique pattern of survival. They have adapted by learning to eat a
particular food eaten by no other animal. For example, Toucans have adapted by developing long, large
bill (outgrowth like a beak). The bill allows this bird to reach fruit on branches that are too small to support
the bird's weight and toucan is able to cut the fruit from the tree with the help of this adaptation. Similarly,

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the sloth knows an art (using a behavioural adaptation) of camouflage to survive in the rainforest. It moves
quite slowly and loves to hang upside down from trees. It grows blue-green algae on its fur giving the sloth
a greenish colour which matches with the evergreen rainforests. This is how sloths escape the attention of
predators as they find it very difficult to spot a prey.

The tropical evergreen rainforest and its location across the world shown with green colour

Multi-layered tree Strangler fig’s roots on host tree Epiphyte on the trunk of a tree

The tropical evergreen rainforest covers about seven per cent of the Earth's land surface and nourishes
more than half of the planet's terrestrial plants and animals. The trees here are evergreen because there is
no period of drought or frost. Tropical evergreen forests are dense. Tropical rainforests are so dense that
only less than 2% of the sunlight ever reaches the ground despite having 12 hours of sunlight daily. Tropical
evergreen rainforests are multi-layered and often three different layers – the canopy, the understory, and
the ground layer. Trees in the tropical rainforests are very tall and sturdy. Their height normally varies from
36 to 60 meter. The canopy created by the tall trees and the understory prevents sunlight from reaching the
ground. The soil is, therefore, always under (dark) shade and very little vegetation grows at ground level
except near riverbanks and on hillsides. It is because the angle of the hillside allows sunlight to reach lower
layers of the forest and the riverbeds break up the forest canopy as a result of which smaller plants get the
needed sunlight. The trees in the tropical rainforests do not shed their leaves at a time and therefore always
remain green and are called evergreen forest.

There are two ways for plants or trees to survive in the tropical evergreen rainforests. Either plant develops
an ability to tolerate constant shade or to adaptation strategies to reach sunlight. Fungus is an excellent
example of a plant that flourishes in warm, dark places in the tropical rainforests created by the forest
canopy and understory. Plants go through a deadly competition to receive sunlight and grow up as tall trees.
Few examples of evergreen trees in tropical rainforests are teak, sal (sakhua), rubber, mahogany, ebony, and
rosewood.

2. Deciduous Forest: Deciduous forests are found in the eastern half of North America, and the middle of
Europe. Southwest Russia, Japan, and eastern China are the hotspots of deciduous forests in Asia. Similarly,
southern Chile and Middle East coast of Paraguay in South America have this forest. New Zealand and
south-eastern Australia have ideal climatic conditions for the deciduous forests to flourish. Temperate
deciduous forests are found between 40º° and 60º north and south of the equator.

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The temperate deciduous forest and its location across the world shown with dark colour

Deciduous forests contain trees with broad leaves such as oak, beech maple, hickory, chestnut and elm.
The forests thrive in the areas where the rainfall is high (from 75 cm to 150 cm in a year) along with warm
summers and cooler winters. Four distinct seasons, spring, summer, autumn, and winter are found in the
region where deciduous forests grow. In the autumn the leaves of deciduous trees change colour and during
the winter months the trees lose (shed) their leaves. The trees have adapted to the winter by going into
a period of dormancy or sleep. Spring and summer are the growing seasons as trees get new leaves and
flowers. The trees have typically large broad leaves and form the canopy. Unlike tropical rainforests, the
canopy does allow sunlight to reach the ground and allows plants in the other layers to grow. They also
have thick bark to protect them from the cold weather. The plants and trees have adapted to the forests by
leaning toward the sun.
The animals in the deciduous forests have adapted to the land by choosing their food, what to eat and what
not to eat. Most of the animals camouflage to look like the ground’s colour. A wide variety of mammals,
birds, insects, and reptiles are found in a deciduous forest biome like bears, raccoons, squirrels, skunks, wood
mice, cheetah, monkeys, jackals, crows (Kaag), and Bakula. Migration and hibernation are two techniques for
adaptations used by the animals and birds in this biome. A wide variety of birds migrate and many of the
mammals hibernate during the cold winter months when food is in short supply. Some of the animals prefer
to store food instead of choosing migration or hibernation. For example, squirrels and chipmunks gather
nuts and seeds (which are found in plenty in the forest) during the summer. They store the gathered nuts
and seeds in the hollows of trees for use during the winter months. Cold temperatures help prevent the
decomposition of the nuts and seeds and this is how they survive in the winter season every year.
3. Coniferous Forests: The coniferous forests (known as the northern boreal forest) are found in 50º to
65º°N latitudes. Other types of coniferous forests also grow in lower latitudes of North America, Europe,
and Asia but not in the high elevations of mountains. Coniferous forests are found mainly in the northern
hemisphere. The northern coniferous forests are called taiga or boreal forests. They cover vast areas of North
America from the Pacific to the Atlantic, and range across northern Europe, Scandinavia, Russia and across
Asia through Siberia and Mongolia to northern China and northern Japan. The coniferous forests are widely
recognized as the Taiga biome which lies between the tundra to the north and the deciduous forest to the
south.
In the northern boreal forests, the winters are long, cold and dry, while the short summers are moderately
warm and moist. Precipitation in coniferous forests varies from 30 cm to 90 cm annually, with some
temperate coniferous forests receiving up to 150 cm. The amount of precipitation depends on the forest
location. Precipitation is more evenly distributed throughout the year in the lower latitudes. Coniferous
trees thrive in long and harsh winters to brave heavy snowfall that can last as long as six months.
As the name itself indicates, coniferous forests consist mostly of conifers – trees with needles instead of leaves
and cones instead of flowers. Conifers are evergreen because they bear needles all year long. Commonly
found conifers are hemlocks, spruces, pines and firs. The long, thin and waxy needles in the conifers are
unique adaptations to survive in the snowy cold region. The wax gives them some protection from freezing
temperatures and from drying out. The leaves modified into needles reduce the rate of photosynthesis
as summers are very short. Conifers can start photosynthesis as soon as the weather gets warm. The dark
colour of evergreen needles allows them to absorb heat from the sun to help them start photosynthesis early.
Evergreen coniferous trees in the Taiga tend to be thin and grow closer to each other; it gives them protection
against the cold and the fast-blowing wind. Evergreen coniferous trees appear as upside-down cone to
protect the branches from breaking under the weight of snow that accumulates on their branches and the

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snow slides right off the slanted branches without breaking them. The thick bark and the softwood of the
coniferous trees protect them against wildfires.

The coniferous forests also known as boreal forests and its location in the northern hemisphere
Mammals found in the coniferous region are moose, deer, reindeer or caribou, mice and squirrels. Predators
include wolves, lynxes, bears, foxes and wolverines. Wolverines are small, fierce carnivores. Many animals
have adapted themselves to survive in situations when foods are difficult to get because foods are somewhat
scare in the coniferous forest. For example, wolverines are tenacious (persistent) predators but will also eat
plants and berries in the summer months. They have been found to drag away carrion (something decaying
or rotten animal flesh) for consumption, such as a caribou head or carcass. Wolverines sometimes stash food
and build their dens in the downed coniferous trees for surviving in harsh long winters. Thus, mammals
have developed various ways to survive the icy winters. Hares and foxes grow dense winter coats while
small shrews and voles burrow under the snow for warmth and live on stored food. And other mammals
like bears prefer to hibernate by spending the winter asleep and living on fat reserves deposited on their
bodies which they built up during the summer months. Moose and deer survive the winter by eating
mosses, lichens and barks and the shoots of the few bushes that grow in the forest clearings and along the
stream banks. Birds like woodpeckers, tits, crossbills, owls, hawks and grouse are the permanent residents
of the evergreen coniferous forests. The crossbill is a small finch (small songbird) that uses the crossed beak
to tweak the seeds from pine or fir cones. With the arrival of summer, the forests become home to thousands
of insects, mosquitoes and caterpillars which attract insect-eating birds like warblers and others. Many birds
migrate to warmer regions in winter and return in summer. This is how animals have developed their
unique way to survive in the climates of the coniferous forests.

Words and terms you would like to know

Distinctive (adj.): different from others
Ripple (n.): a series of effects across the surface
Camouflage (v.): to hide or disguise something
Predator (n.): a carnivorous animal that hunts, kills, and eats other animals in order to survive, or any other organism
that behaves in a similar manner
Epiphyte (n.): a plant that grows on top of or is supported by another plant but does not depend on it for nutrition.
Mosses, tropical orchids, and many ferns are epiphytes.

Activities

1. Climatic conditions mould and affect the vegetations in a region. This can be observed and verified in
the very area you live in. What kinds of climatic conditions and types of vegetations are found in the
area where you reside? Make a list and discuss it in the classroom to reach conclusions regarding the
relationship between climate and vegetation.

2. Make a list of important vegetations (plants and trees) found in your region and mention their special
features. You can take help from the older people who know the special qualities of these vegetations.
Have a discussion in the classroom regarding the usefulness of these vegetations. Also allow other
students to present their list of vegetations with special features of plants and trees turn by turn.

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3. The following are the two climate graphs of the evergreen rainforests and the deciduous forests. Study
them minutely.

Rainforests Deciduous forests

Convert the information presented in the above graph in a tabular form and hold a discussion in the
classroom about the climatic conditions prevailing in the evergreen forests and deciduous forests.

4. Copy the table given below and fill up the columns:

Types of forest Main vegetations Main animals

Exercise

1. What is biome? Explain how different biomes across the world have interwoven symbiotic relationship
between climate on one side and the life forms (vegetations and animals) on the other side.

2. Describe with the help of illustrations how vegetation affects (influences) the climate in a region.
3. Analyze the features and patterns of adaptations found in the vegetations and animals of the tropical

evergreen rainforests.
4. Use illustration to show the multi-layered trees in the evergreen rainforest. Specify the impacts of such

a structure in the rainforest biome.
5. Identify the locations of all the three forests (rainforest, deciduous and coniferous forest) across the

word and write down their geographical regions.
6. Give reasons for the following:

I. Trees in the rainforests are very tall and have broad leaves.
II. Trees in the deciduous forest have colourful foliage and shed their leaves in the winter.
III. Trees in the boreal forest have needle shaped leaves and appear like cone with soft trunk.
7. Name the animals found in the coniferous forest. Analyze the specific adaptation patterns they adopt in
their own ecosystem to survive.
8. Present the differences between the evergreen rainforests and deciduous forests in a table.
9. Coniferous forests have great economic (commercial) value. How? Explain with examples.
10. Nepal has all types of forests. Justify the statement with the help of suitable examples.

Community Work

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in different parts of the world where rainforests,
deciduous and coniferous forests are found? What would be the weather like? What kinds of animals would
you see? Which plants live there? What would be human life like? You are so fortunate to be in Nepal – the
country dominated by altitude which makes one experience all the latitudinal extension from tropical to
temperate and polar zones by being in the Tarai, Pahad and Himal. Arrange for your stay for a few days
in each of the ecological regions of Nepal in order to get details of the above stated questions in form of
photographs, pictures, sketches and writing. Make your presentation in the classroom by spending times
in the ecosystems of Tarai, Pahad and Himal likening them with tropical, temperate and sub-polar regions of
the world.

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Lesson Climate and Topography – Its
Diversity Affecting Human
9 Activities around the World

Illustration1: Inuit – An indigenous tribe living in Russia and Canada located in the Northern Hemisphere
has continued to live in backwardness. They still do hunting using traditional weapons, wear the skin cloth
made up of skin of seals, gather edible roots and fruits.
Illustration 2: People living in the temperate region of Asia, Europe and North America are much more de-
veloped, advanced and educated compared to the people living in the rest of the world. Most of the scientific
inventions have come from the people living in this region of the world. Besides, best of the economic and
infrastructural developments are seen in this region.
Illustration 3: The Red Indians from the Amazon basin and the Pygmies from the Guinea coast still live in
primitive style. Away from the modern civilized world, they are nomads and do hunting using weapons like
spears, stones and ‘bow and arrow’.
Climate and topography directly affect the pattern (way) of human life. All the important human activities
such as food, dressing, religion, rituals, customs, professions, development works and economic activities
are shaped up by the climate and topography to a great extent. Cold climate and difficult terrain make the
inhabitants more laborious, resilient and full of stamina (courage). This is why Europeans are hardworking
and innovative.
Those people who reside in the Himalayan region of Nepal are world famous for their acts of bravery
and ventures of courage. On the other hand, people living in the plain land (Tarai region) are observed to
be laid-back and they procrastinate their work. A sense of urgency and promptness to complete the work
within time seems to be missing in the people living in the plain land when compared with the people from
the mountainous or temperate regions. Actually, people who live in relatively colder places with difficult
undulated terrain are compelled to overcome the challenges imposed by the climate and topography. Con-
sequently, they emerge out to be courageous and laborious (industrious). Such challenges and difficulties are
lessened in the tropical and plain-land regions. The differences in the human life patterns in the Himalayan,
Hilly and Plain (Tarai) regions of Nepal are attributed to the climatic conditions and the topography in the
respective ecological regions of Nepal. Similarly, the polar and equatorial regions of the Earth differ in their
climatic conditions and the land structure (topography). Therefore, the life styles and the economic activities
of the people living in these two regions do not match.
Even religions have deep connections with the nature – climate, topography and its ecosystems. Religious
traditions like Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam derive their religious practices and rituals from diversity
of climates and topography. For example, Islam originated in the deserts of Saudi Arabia. This is why no
mosque is constructed all over the world without using sand. Even Islamic dresses worn by Muslims are
loose and plain clothes because such clothes protect the wearers from the scorching sun-rays and heavy
winds. Normally, Muslims in the deserts wear white (light color) clothes because they reflect the sun-rays
back and save the body from excessive heat. The head is protected by the netted skull cap. Such skull-caps
absorb the sweats of heads without bothering the person. Further, Muslims keep beards in order to save
their face from the burns caused by the direct sun-rays falling vertically over them. Despite being so trau-
matized by the Sun in deserts, Muslims do keep very healthy views about the Sun. Their entire religious
rituals revolve around the Moon as it provides cool and soothing sensations to them during the night after
having spent grueling hot day. Muslims use moon as their sacred symbol. Islamic countries even design their
flags with the symbol of moon on it. Green color is considered very auspicious in Islam because greenery
in deserts is like a realization (fulfillment) of great dream. The green patches of agricultural land are hardly
found in the hot tropical deserts of Saudi Arabia. Thus, the green color is the symbol of growth, fertility and
life for Muslims.

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Loose White Dress in Deserts Mosque, Moon and Green Color Muslim wearing a Skull Cap
Unlike Islam, Buddhism originated in the tropical region in the midst of rivers, forests and fertile plain.
Buddha was born and brought up in Lumbini (Nepal) and attained to supreme spiritual realization in Bodh-
Gaya (India). Gautam Buddha had left the palace to live the life of a wandering monk surviving amidst
the rivers and forests. Buddha wandered from one village to another and meditated under the tree to get
spiritual awakening. Therefore, Buddhists have great reverence for trees, rivers and other life forms. In the
Buddhist context, man and the environment are inseparable. Human being is not separate from the nature
or environment. Buddhist philosophy is based on non-violence and ‘Karma’ (one’s own actions in life). All
the life forms – plants or animals or humans live in accordance with their own Karma. Humans here have
relational links with all other forms of life. In Buddhism, the highest form of life is human life. A Buddhist
monk is prohibited from harming plants or animals. The concept is to respect the rights of other living things
without violating them in any way. Many Buddhist teachings remind monks and laymen to show respect
for trees which provide food, shade and protection not only for people but for all forest dwellers. Monks,
for example, are forbidden to cut down trees and have respect for all the seasons. Seasons bring different life
forms and guide the humans for different types of activities for living. Moreover, seasons remind the Bud-
dhists about impermanent and ever changing nature of life itself.

Buddha meditating under a Bodhi tree in the lap of nature in a setting of forest – a source of survival

234 Nova Social Studies Grade-10 >>

The Bodhi (Pipal) tree is sacred to Buddhists. The tree that provided shelter for the Buddha to attain enlight-
enment is in Bodhgaya in India (a World Heritage Site). Its sapling has been planted in the birth place of
Gautam Buddha – Lumbini (a World Heritage Site in Nepal). The sapling of the Bodhi tree was sent to Sri
Lanka in the third century BC and is still surviving as the Na tree (National Tree). Lotus is sacred flower for
both Buddhists and Hindus. The sacred Lotus symbolizes spiritual blooming in religious awakening and
also refers to the energy centre of the human body. Hindus are the ardent admirers of nature, seasons and
all the life forms. Hindu philosophy and religious commentaries are full of praise for the beauty of all kinds
of seasons, animals and plant-forms as ancient Hindus had understood the symbiotic relationship amongst
them for the wellbeing of humans. Mountains, forests, rivers and wild animals along with sun and moon are
painted in the pictures of imagined Gods and Goddesses. No God or Goddess is painted alone without the
company of animal or bird in the background of natural setting. We know well how the River Ganges and
parts of the Himalayas are not only of great importance to a large portion of the population in South Asia
but also have great religious significance.

Kailash-Mansarovar Holy River Ganga

Thus, human cultures, knowledge systems, religions, heritage values and social interactions have always
been influenced and shaped by the nature of the ecosystem which includes the climatic conditions and to-
pography.

Words and terms you would like to know

Resilient (adj.): able to recover quickly from setbacks
Venture (n.): a risky or daring undertaking that has no guarantee of success
Procrastinate (v.): to postpone doing something, especially as a regular practice
Promptness (n.): an act done at once and without delay
Undulated (adj.): having a wavelike or rippled form, surface, edge, etc.
Grueling (adj.): exhausting
Layman (n.): somebody who is not trained or expert in a specific area

Activities

1. You might have left your original place of residence or birth to settle down at some other place. What
kind of climatic conditions did you experience at the new place? Write in points. What could be the rea-
sons behind such a change in climate? Discuss with your teacher and other classmates to give an answer
in writing.

2. The difference in the life-style of the people living in the northern pole and the equatorial region is main-
ly due to climatic conditions. Do you agree with this statement or not? Give reasons for your answer.

3. All the traditions and customs followed in a religion have been derived from climatic conditions and

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topography in which a religion was born and brought up. Justify the statement by observing your own
religious practices in the family and community.
4. How well do you know about major religions of the world? Plan an educational tour at the earliest to
meet the heads of the religious institutions from different religions to get more information about the
interconnectedness of religion on one hand and climate plus topography on the other. Prepare a detailed
description on it and share with the classmates.

Exercise

1. Man and environment are not independent of each other. Analyze the statement in light of diversity of
climate and topography affecting the human activities around the world.

2. How do Inuit – an indigenous tribe - differ from Red Indians and Pygmies? Discuss in respect of life-
style and residential location.

3. What are the reasons behind different lifestyles followed by the people who inhabit Himalayan, Hilly
and Plain (Tarai) regions of Nepal? Present a detailed and reasoned analysis.

4. Explain why the countries located in the cold climatic region and the temperate zone are much more
developed than the countries located in other parts of the world.

5. Urbanization and the increasing influence of the global market economy have disrupted the inspira-
tional ties between humans and nature. Critically comment on it by citing relevant examples.

6. Loss of traditional knowledge systems has many direct and indirect effects on ecosystems (or cli-
matic conditions), the last but not the least human welfare. Describe the observation with the help of
illustrations.

7. Outline the complex relationships that exist between ecological systems and cultural systems around
the world.

Community Work

People following different religions live in your community. Meet the oldest member of each religion and
find out the bases (essentials) of religion he or she follows. Compare and contrast one religion with the other
religion in relation to the climate and topography from the following perspectives:
• Where did your religion originate? (Topographical perspective)
• What was the name of the founder of your religion? Where was he born?
• What are the practices which are considered sacred or taboo according to religious sanctions? (Behavioral

perspective)
• List the names of festivals which fall under your religion and their dates of celebration.
• How far is your religion connected with ecosystem (climate, topography, plants and animals all com-

bined together in a system) in which you live? (Ecological perspective)

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Lesson North America – Natural and

1 0 Physical Features

North America: An Introduction

Political Map of North America
North America is the third largest of the world’s continents, lying mainly between the Arctic Circle and the
Tropic of Cancer. It covers an area of 9,355,000 sq mi;es (24,230,000 sq km). The name America comes from

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the Italian navigator Amerigo Vespucci, who most probably visited the mainland of North America in 1497
and 1498. The continent includes Canada (the second largest country in area in the world), the United States
(third largest), and Mexico (14th largest) as major countries along with Greenland, the largest island. North
America reportedly claims to include Central America and the Bahamas (the West Indies) too. There are a total
of 38 Countries and Islands in North America and it covers 16.5% of Earth’s land and 5% of the Earth’s surface.
Mainland North America appears roughly like a triangle, with its base in the north and its apex in the south
and is bounded on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the east by the North Atlantic Ocean, on the south by
the Caribbean Sea, and on the west by the North Pacific Ocean. To the northeast the Denmark Strait sepa-
rates the Greenland from Iceland and to the northwest, the Bering Strait separates Alaska from the Asian
mainland; ‘Panama Isthmus’ connects the North America to South America.

North America: Physical Feature

Physical feature of North America has its own peculiarities and special attractions. North America has the
coastline of some 37,000 mi (60,000 km) – the second longest after Asia and is notably indented particularly
in the northern half. Mount McKinley in Alaska is the highest mountain of the continent with the altitude
(height) of 20,320 ft (6,194 m) above sea level and Death Valley (a part of Great Basin) in California is the
deepest (lowest) point at 282 ft (86 m) below sea level. Mississippi river is the longest (3765 km) in this
continent.
Physical feature of North America has three main divisions:
1. Main Land Topography
2. Rivers and Lakes
3. Climatic Conditions
Following are the details of three main divisions of the physical feature of North America:
1. Land Topography: Physical land divisions of this continent can be conveniently divided into following
four major divisions:
A. Western Mountain-ranges (cordilleras)
B. Central Plains (lowlands)
C. The Eastern Plateaus (Highlands)
D. Deserts
A. Western Mountain-ranges: Western mountain system - a chain of mountains - runs closely along the
Pacific coast right from Alaska in the north to the Panama Isthmus in the South having the length and
breadth of about 6500 km and 1500 km respectively. Western mountain ranges are young fold mountains
like the Himalayas and the Alps. Running parallel from north to south, the western mountain ranges include
Brooks Range, Alaskan Range, Cascade Range, Coastal Range, Selkirk Range, and Rocky Mountain Range,
Sierra Nevada, Western Sierra Madre and Eastern Sierra Madre. Mt. McKinley, the highest mountain peak
in this continent, lies in the Alaskan Range.
These mountain ranges have a number of inter-mountain plateaus and basins. For example, between the
Alaskan Range and the Brooks Range lies the Alaskan Plateau and Yukon Basin. Similarly, Great Basin, area
of inland drainage in the western United States, lies between the Wasatch Range on the east and the Sierra
Nevada and Cascade Range on the west. The basin is an area of interior drainage, that is, its waterways
drain into desert flats, not into the sea. Between the Cascade Range and the Rockies lie two inter-mountain
plateaus namely the Columbian Plateau and the Colorado Plateau. The famous Mexican Plateau stands
between the Western Sierra Madre and the Eastern Sierra Madre.
B. Central Lowlands (Plains): The North American Central Lowlands or plains span from central
Saskatchewan in Canada to the Gulf of Mexico between the Western Mountain ranges and the Eastern
Highlands. Roughly, two great areas of lowland exist – one around Hudson Bay known as the Canadian
Shield near the Great Lakes area (in both Canada as well as United States). The other one exists around the
Gulf of Mexico known as the Mississippi Plain. Formation of these two plains differs from each other. The

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Canadian Shield Plain has been formed as a result of wearing down (denudation) process of ancient plateau
by glaciers and the rivers whereas the Mississippi plain in the south interior of the continent is the result of
the depositional actions of the Mississippi river and its tributaries. Therefore, Mississippi plain is one of the
most fertile lands in the world. Mississippi plains are also famous as prairie grassland.
These Central Plains are in fact the continental Interior Lowlands and are the part of the Great Plains which
comprises of Great Basin too. The Great Plains stretch between the Rio Grande in the south and the delta of the
Mackenzie River at the Arctic Ocean in the north and between the Interior Lowland and the Canadian Shield
on the east and the Rocky Mountains on the west. In the United States, the Missouri river and its tributaries
(the Yellowstone, Platte, and Kansas) and the Red, Rio Grande, and Arkansas rivers flowing eastward from
the Rockies, drain the Great Plains. In Canada, the Saskatchewan River and its tributaries constitute the main
drainage system.

Physical Map of North America

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C. The Eastern Highlands (Plateaus): Eastern highlands are made up of ancient crystalline rocks (old fold
mountain about 540 million years old). The Eastern Highlands (Plateaus) have two divisions: 1. Canadian
Shield, and 2. Appalachian Highlands.

The eastern half of Canada, most of Greenland and parts of the eastern United States (sections of Minnesota,
Wisconsin, Michigan, and New York) are part of the Canadian Shield. There are mainly three highlands
(plateaus) in the north of the continent North America that largely constitute Canadian Shield. They are
Plateau of Greenland, Labrador Plateau and the Laurentian Highlands. Further south to Laurentian Highlands
much below the St. Lawrence Valley spans the Appalachian Highlands. Thus, eastern highlands extend up to
Alabama in South and begin from the Newfoundland-Labrador in north in the main land of North America.
The Highlands of Greenland detached from this mainland are largely ice-covered.

D. Deserts: Great Plains of North America has some deserts like Sonoran Desert, Mojave Desert, Colorado
Desert and Yuma Desert. Sonoran Desert covering about 310,799 sq km (about 120,000 sq mi) is large arid
region located primarily in south-western Arizona, south-eastern California, and north-western Mexico. The
desert is bounded by the Mojave Desert on the north. Mojave Desert covering an area of 52,000 sq km (20,000
sq mi) is the arid region in southern California, part of the Great Basin. The Colorado Desert is adjacent to it.
The Yuma Desert occupying a landform known as the Salton Trough (Salton Basin) near southern California
is a region of low sandy plains and dunes.

2. Rivers and Lakes: Rocky Mountains act as a great divide (continental divide) in North America and
split this continent into two great drainage basins. East Drainage System to the east of this divide makes
the water flow toward the Arctic Ocean, Hudson Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico. West
Drainage System lies to the west of this divide where rivers flow toward the Pacific Ocean. Two prominent
drainage systems—the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River system and the Mississippi-Missouri river system
- constitute the eastern drainage system. The five Great Lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and
Ontario) drain northeast to the Atlantic Ocean via the relatively short St. Lawrence River. The Mississippi
River and its tributaries, notably the Missouri River drains most of the central part of the United States.
The great Mackenzie River system of western Canada drains the northern interior of the continent and
flow into Hudson Bay. The longest tributaries – the Peace into the Mackenzie, the Saskatchewan into the
Nelson, and the Missouri into the Mississippi – are all west flowing rivers.

To the west of the Continental Divide are relatively few major rivers (notably the Colorado, Columbia,
Fraser, and Yukon) and many short, large-volume streams. Actually, the rivers like Yukon, Mackenzie, Red
River of the North, and Nelson and the rivers of eastern Canada are all northward-flowing rivers towards
the west of the Pacific and freeze in winter.

Canada and the northern United States have a large number of lakes but the southern half of North
America has only a few large natural lakes. Lake Superior is the world’s biggest freshwater lake. Lake
Mead, on the Colorado River in the United States, is a large artificial lake, and Great Salt Lake, in Utah, is
noted for its highly saline water. There are no rivers or lakes south of the Rio Grande River (flows on the
border of United States and Mexico).

3. Climatic Conditions: North America has five principal climatic regions. The northern two-thirds of
Canada and Alaska, as well as all of Greenland, have sub-arctic and arctic climates where long, dark,
bitterly cold winters alternate with brief, mild summers. Most of the region, which receives relatively little
precipitation, is covered with snow and ice during much of the year. Only between June and September
do temperatures frequently rise above 0°C. A second climatic region prevails in the eastern two-thirds of
the United States and southern Canada characterized by a humid climate in which all four seasons are
well demarcated with frequent weather-change. The southern part of this region has a warmer average
temperature. A third region includes the western interior of the United States and much of northern
Mexico covered mostly by mountain and desert, generally receiving small amounts of precipitation. A
fourth climatic region constitutes a narrow zone along the Pacific Ocean from southern Alaska to southern
California. It has relatively mild but wet winters and almost rainless summers. Most of southern Mexico
experiences tropical climate, with year-round warmth and much precipitation, especially in summer.

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North America: Natural Vegetation

Map of North America showing natural vegetation
Although the natural vegetation of North America has been modified by human activity to a great extent,
yet its general nature is still apparent over much of the continent. The most notable one is the taiga
vegetation (also known as boreal forest) which covers most of southern and central Canada and extends
into Alaska. The eastern United States has a vegetation cover of a mixed forest. We know that temperature
and rainfall affect the natural vegetation. Grassland and shrub land are found in the drier parts of the
continent. Eastern United States receives a fair amount of rainfall as a result of which a deciduous forest is
found here. In the areas of scanty rainfall, there is a tall grass called prairie in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.
Farther away to the west, a short-grass steppe covers the region. The central plains and prairies of the
United States and southern Canada have now been replaced by commercial crops to a great extent. The
dry lands of the western United States and northern Mexico are sparsely covered with a variety of shrubs
and many kinds of cacti while the far south is dominated by a sub-tropical evergreen forest. Beyond the
coniferous forests the far north is a region of tundra. The tundra vegetation consists of a mixture of low-
growing sedges, grasses, mosses, and lichens.

Words and terms you would like to know

Strait (n.): channel joining large bodies of water: a narrow body of water that joins two larger bodies of water
Isthmus (n.): narrow connecting strip of land: a narrow strip of land that joins two larger areas of land
Coast (n.): land next to sea; land beside the sea
Bay (n.): an area of sea enclosed by a wide inward-curving stretch of coastline

Activities

1. Look at the Atlas and identify all the geographical regions and the physical topography of North
America.

2. Divide the class into three groups. Assign the first group with the task of preparing on the topic of

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physical features of North America, the second group with the task of preparing on the topic of climates
of North America and the third group with the task of preparing on the topic of natural vegetation of
North America. Collect all the prepared lessons by the three groups and assimilate them together to
hold a discussion in the classroom on their interrelationship with each other.
3. Use the atlas and identify the geographical region of North America which is affected by storms, cy-
clones and tornadoes.
4. Explain why the cover of the coniferous forest (taiga biome) in the northern part of North America is
considered as the important natural resource (wealth).
5. On the outline map of North America, show (mark) the following points or places:

Set 1: Area of Winter Rainfall, New York City, Los Angeles, Arctic Circle, Great Salt Lake, Hurricane
Region, Mt. McKinley, Death Valley, Caribbean Sea
Set 2: Mexico, Rio Grande, San Francisco, Great Slave Lake, Brooks Range, Bering Sea, Great Basin,
Florida, Laurentian Plateau
Set 3: Newfoundland, Labrador Sea, Bahamas, Gulf of Mexico, Baffin Bay, Greenland, Tropic of
Cancer, Bering Strait, Rocky Mountains
Set 4: Colorado River, Saskatchewan River, Nunavut, Mexico City, Western Sierra Madre, Davis
Strait, Mt. Elbert, Lake Michigan, Nova Scotia
Set 5: Sierra Nevada, Missouri River, International Date Line, St. Lawrence Island, Havana,
Vancouver, Dairy Belt, Lake Ontario, Bay of Fundy
Set 6: Selkirk Range, Gulf of St. Lawrence, Toronto, Snake River, Washington D.C., Sugarcane and
Banana Growing Area, Texas, Mexican Plateau, Great Bear Lake

Exercise

1. Specify the location and the boundary of North America.
2. Describe in detail the main land topography of North America.
3. North America is blessed with a number of rivers and lakes adding beauty to its physical feature.

Explain with examples.
4. What is prairie? Highlight its main three advantages (usefulness).
5. Illustrate the reasons why Rocky mountain range is the popular tourist spot in North America.
6. Highlight any four special features of Tundra vegetation of North America.
7. Briefly comment on the climatic conditions of North America.
8. Introduce Great Lakes in North America.
9. Make a list of important mountain ranges, plateaus, deserts and grasslands.

Project Work

Make three groups out of all the students present in the classroom. Hang a big wall map of North America
and follow the instructions as given below:
I. Assign the first group with the task of noting down the names of main physical features such as moun-

tain ranges, mountain peaks, rivers, lakes, deserts, grass lands, high lands (plateaus) and so on.
II. Assign the second group to select the residential areas and the regions with thin or dense human pop-

ulation along with the places of mines and industries. Also instruct them to furnish reasons behind the
pattern of human population distribution and the specific locations of mines and industries.
III. Assign the third group to explore the places or areas where natural means and resources such as forests,
minerals and so on are available in plenty.
Finally, collect all the projects prepared by the three groups to pool the points and facts together on a chart
paper. Display the chart paper on the school notice-board, library and other such places where students can
see it easily.

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Lesson North America – Social and

1 1 Economic Activities

Social Profile of North America

Canada and the United States are the largest, wealthiest and most developed nations in North America,
followed by Mexico which is a developing country. The widely used language in North America is English
followed by Spanish and French. Christianity is the dominant religion in North America followed by other
religions. The most populous country is the United States of America with approximately 320 million people.
Mexico comes the second and Canada stands third in terms of total population. The USA is the world's
foremost economic and military power, with the largest Christian population in the world. Even as most of the
Americans in the United States belong to European descent, it is a multicultural nation having diverse ethnic
groups from different countries with diverse traditions and values. Except Native American and indigenous
Hawaiian populations, nearly all the Americans or their ancestors are immigrants. Heterogeneous culture
of United States is a salad bowl well decorated with distinctive cultural characteristics of immigrants and
their descendents. The second most developed country in North America is Canada. Canada is one of the
world’s most sparsely populated countries with just around 36 million people and shares its borders with
the United States to the south. Canada is also a country of mixed races. Citizens of both the countries enjoy
high standard of life. Per capita income in United States of America stands at approximately $57220 while
per capita income in Canada is around $46200 in US dollar. There is a wide range of social security and
protection available to children, women, old, disabled and the unemployed people.

Economic Activities in North America

North America, the third-largest continent, extends from the tiny Aleutian Islands in the northwest to the
Isthmus of Panama in the south. North America has diverse economic activities with both the United States
and Canada having sophisticated modern economies and Mexico as developing economy along with other
Central American and Caribbean countries.
Highly mechanized farms that produce ample quantities of crops, livestock, and livestock products
characterize the agriculture in the United States and Canada. The Great Plains of the central United States and
the Canadian Prairie Provinces (Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan) are major world producers of grains
(particularly wheat, but also barley, oats, rye, and sorghum), oilseeds, and livestock (dairy and beef cattle
and sheep). Corn Belt extending from western Ohio to eastern Nebraska is the world’s largest producer of
corn, as well as a major supplier of other grains, soybeans, cattle, and hogs (fully-grown domestic pigs) and is
arguably the world’s finest farming area. West of the Corn Belt lies the Wheat Belt, that stretches from the U.S.
state of Kansas through the Canadian Prairie Provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. This vast
area of the Great Plains allows wheat to be cultivated in both winter and spring. Farming in California yields
a huge amount of high-value irrigated crops, notably fruits and vegetables.

Mechanized farming of wheat in the Prairie grassland

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In the sub-tropical and warm temperate areas of the United States and northern Mexico, cultivation of fruits,
winter vegetables, cotton, and tobacco are very popular agricultural activity. Many tobacco and cotton fields are
now alternately planted with rye, corn (maize), soybeans to help to maintain the fertility of the soil threatened
by the practice of monoculture. Orange groves and coffee, cocoa, and banana plantations are chiefly grown on
the coastal plains and wet windward slopes of the tropical areas; and cotton and hemp (fiber plant used for
making canvas, rope, paper, etc) are grown in the warmer and drier basins in tropical areas. Actually, these
crops are important export crops for Central American countries and Mexico and shipped mainly to the United
States and Europe. Citrus fruits do well in Florida and the Rio Grande valley of Texas, where the Gulf of Mexico
brings warm tropical air with early rain but with much late summer sun.
As far as marine food and fishes are concerned, the waters and estuaries to farther south in the Atlantic,
Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea and off the Pacific coast have lately become economically important
for fishing and crustacean reserve. Crustaceans are invertebrate hard-shelled animals with several pairs
of jointed legs, two pairs of antennae and eyes at the end of stalks. Lobsters, crabs, shrimp, crayfish, water
fleas, barnacles and wood lice are crustaceans. Most of the fish-catch obtained from the Gulf of Mexico and
Pacific Coast goes for either making industrial products or using it as animal feed. Many of the coastal towns
survive economically on their fishing fleet.

Lumbering in Northern Taiga Region Automobile, manufacturing and aerospace industry
Forestry is the management, cultivation, and harvesting of trees and other vegetation in forests. Forestry is a
major economic activity for much of North America. In the United States, the timber industry is strong in the
Pacific Northwest and South Atlantic coastal plains. In Canada, forestry is a major industry in the provinces
of Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. In the Pacific Northwest, for instance, logging companies harvest
cedar, fir, and spruce trees. Lumber from these trees is exported around the world for construction use. Some
of the continent’s largest paper mills are found in these temperate rain forests. In addition to paper, paper
mills produce cardboard and fibreboard too. The cutting of trees for lumber, plywood, pulpwood, and fuel
wood is a major source of income for much of the regions in Canada especially large portions of Quebec and
Ontario. This is why Canada remains one of the world’s principal exporters of wood and wood products and
the United States imports a large share of its overall needs from Canada.
The Dairy Belt, another recognized division like Corn Belt and Wheat Belt as mentioned above, spreads
around New England and the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence region where small grains and grasses like
clover, timothy hay thrive owing to shorter growing season and cooler summers. This region supports
‘Dairy Farming’ by raising milk-animals and other livestock. Washington and British Columbia have lush
pastures due to the influence of the Pacific Coast’s equable climate and provide the suitable environment
for maintaining ranches. Dry areas in the Great Plains and inter-mountain basins are full of such ranches.
Ranch is a farm where cattle, sheep, horses, or other livestock are raised on large tracts of open land. Ranch
is also taken as a specialized farm where a large farm is devoted to keeping a particular type of animal (or in
certain case growing a particular type of crop). Sheep bred in the drier parts or up in the mountains of North
America are mainly used for wool.
Among the mining of different types of metallic and non-metallic mineral ores, coal still dominates the

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