Chapter 2: Climate of Pakistan Flashcards
1
Q
What is the difference between climate and weather?
A
- Climate: The atmospheric condition of an area over a long period, e.g., 20-30 years.
- Weather: The day-to-day atmospheric condition of an area over a short period.
2
Q
What are the main climatic zones in Pakistan?
A
- Highland Zone
- Lowland Zone
- Coastal Zone
- Arid Zone
3
Q
What are the characteristics of the Highland Zone?
A
- Winters: Extremely cold, long, and snowy.
- Summers: Short and mild.
- Precipitation: Both snow and rainfall.
- Temperature: Varies from north to west.
- Rainfall Sources: Relief rainfall, monsoon rainfall, thunderstorms, and western depressions.
4
Q
What are the characteristics of the Lowland Zone?
A
- Winters: Cool and generally short.
- Summers: Hot and long, with severe temperatures.
- Rainfall: Monsoon rainfall, with more rainfall in the upper Indus plain and less in the lower.
- Climate: Semi-arid and arid, affected by western depressions, but with less rainfall.
Other Features: Convectional currents and continental effect.
5
Q
What are the characteristics of the Coastal Zone?
A
- Temperature Influence: Dominated by sea breezes throughout the year.
- Maritime Influence: In summer, the land heats up while the ocean stays cool; in winter, the land cools while the ocean warms.
- Humidity: High year-round.
- Rainfall Sources: Monsoon rainfall, western depression, and occasional tropical cyclones.
- Temperature: Generally mild.
6
Q
What are the characteristics of the Arid Zone?
A
- Wind: Hot, dusty winds and sandstorms are common.
- Rainfall: Scanty, leading to dry spells.
- Summers: Long and hot.
- Nights: Cool.
7
Q
How does climate affect the lifestyle of people in the Highland Zone?
A
- People live a hard life due to extreme cold; temperatures often fall below freezing, making farming impossible in winter.
- Cottage industries are common, and many live a nomadic life, practicing transhumance.
- Herdsmen take advantage of green valleys in summer, and agriculture is practiced on terraced fields.
8
Q
How does climate affect the lifestyle of people in the Lowland Zone?
A
- The Punjab and Indus plains are fertile and densely populated, with people engaged in primary, secondary, and tertiary activities
9
Q
How does climate affect the lifestyle of people in the Coastal Zone?
A
- The moderate climate supports primary activities like fishing, boat-making, and trade.
- Cotton clothing is common due to the warm temperatures.
10
Q
- How does climate affect the lifestyle of people in the Arid Zone?
A
- Life is challenging due to extreme heat and scarce water.
Agriculture is possible only where water is available, aided by the Karez system. - Crops like millet, barley, and wheat, along with fruit orchards, are grown.
- People often lead a nomadic lifestyle, moving with livestock in search of food, water, and shelter.
11
Q
What are the main sources of rainfall in Pakistan?
A
- Monsoon Winds
- Western Depression
- Convectional Currents
- Relief Rainfall
- Tropical Cyclones
12
Q
How do monsoon winds cause rainfall in Pakistan?
A
- During summer, low pressure over land attracts moist air from the sea.
- Monsoon winds, mainly from the Bay of Bengal, cause heavy rainfall in northern Punjab starting in July.
13
Q
How do western depressions cause rainfall?
A
- These winds originate in the Mediterranean Sea, moving across Afghanistan and Iran to reach western Pakistan, bringing rain from December to March.
14
Q
How do convectional currents cause rainfall?
A
- As hot air rises at the start of summer, moisture condenses at higher altitudes, causing rainfall in northern and northwestern areas like Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Peshawar.
15
Q
What is relief rainfall, and where does it occur?
A
- Relief rainfall occurs when moist air moves up due to land elevation, causing condensation and precipitation on the windward side.
- The leeward side remains dry.
