What is the Difference between Temperate and Tropical Regions?

A tropical region refers to those areas where the temperature mostly ranges from 65 degrees F or above. The temperate region is the region where there is a variation of temperature but there is no extreme cold or hot. This area mostly lies between the equator and the pole.

Tropical Regions

Tropical regions do not get cold enough and do not experience snow in the winter. Therefore, tropical regions are also called hot or humid regions. They normally have high temperatures and there is no seasonal change due to the east-flowing winds that help to keep the temperature high. 

Tropical and Temperate Zone

Significance of Tropical Region

• Tropical regions are best suited for growing crops and beverages such as tea and coffee. These regions help the plants to grow better in hot and humid climates. 
• Tropical regions are the major source for factories to run and produce electricity. 
• Coal, oil, natural gas, etc. can be formed by decaying plant and animal waste in swamps or peat bags that have buried millions of years ago. 
• Tropical regions help in absorbing carbon dioxide CO2 which causes the greenhouse effect. 
• Large amounts of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere trap heat and leads to global warming. 

Benefits of Tropical Regions

• Tropical areas help maintain and balance ecosystems. This is underpinned by environmental conditions that are more conducive to species diversity than anywhere else in the world.
• The Tropical Rainforests surrounding the tropical regions are a source of food for humans. 
• These regions are suited for growing different types of crops such as tea, coffee, cocoa, citrus fruits, etc. as they have abundant land and other resources. 
• They are rich in natural resources such as oil, coal, and natural gas. These regions have fertile soil and also help to produce ethanol from sugarcane. 
• Tropical Regions have the honor of being known as the most prosperous and rich areas of the world.

Temperate Regions 

Temperate Regions are the ones that experience moderate variations and change in temperatures. They extend between the latitudes of the Tropic of Cancer in the North and the Tropic of Capricorn in the South. Temperate zones generally experience all the major seasons in the year which are summer, winter, autumn, and spring. They are located in the polar and sub-tropical regions. Temperate zones can be classified as North and South temperate zones according to their extent. 

North Temperate Zone

• The region between the Arctic Circle and the Tropic of Cancer is called the North temperate zone.
• Central, East, and Northern Asia are some areas that lie in the North Temperate zone.

South Temperate Zone

• The area between the Antarctic circle and the Tropic of Capricorn is called the South temperate zone. 
• South Africa, New Zealand, and South Africa are some areas of the South Temperate Zone.
• The South temperate zone lies in the Southern Hemisphere.

Significance of Temperate Regions

• Temperate Zones provide a perfect habitat and environment to various species of plants and animals due to the different types of weather they experience and the changes in temperature that allow all sorts of flora and fauna to flourish according to the season.
• Humans generally prefer to live in temperate regions as any areas that are too hot or too cold are not at all sufficient for human inhabitation.
• The climate of temperate regions is perfect for the growth of various crops and vegetables that are essential for human life and are consumed as food grains.
• Animals such as black bears, raccoons, deer, and elks and plants such as maple trees, walnut trees, birch trees, lichens, and mosses are found in temperate regions.
• Savannahs, Deciduous forests, they  are climates .The majority and warm temperate forests are found mainly in this region.

Benefits of Temperate Regions

• Temperate regions have a lot of cities and towns and humans add productivity to these regions. 
• The warm temperatures in these regions help in growing a wide variety of crops such as potatoes, wheat, fruits, tomatoes, and cabbage. 
• These regions are the prime locations of many cities like San Francisco, Boston, New York, Seattle, and many other factories as well. 
• Mostly the animals are found there in summer due to the hot climate.
• People live there during the whole year and temperatures change here owing to latitude and longitude every season. This also affects the rate of precipitation. 

Difference between Tropical and Temperate Regions

Basis of Difference	Tropical Regions	Temperate Regions
Region	The tropics are found around the equator and have a warmer climate with less seasonal variation.	The temperate regions between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Cancer experience extreme temperature variations.
Temperature Changes	These areas being near the equator are hot and humid due to long hours of direct sunlight that they receive throughout the day.	These regions experience sudden temperature and seasonal changes and are hence classified as mild or changing season zones.
Rainfall	These regions experience more rainfall due to tropical climates and thick vegetation cover.	These regions experience less rainfall than tropical regions.
Maximum and Minimum Temperature	These regions have an annual temperature of around 23-28 C or 73-82 F.	These regions have temperatures as low as 15 C or 5 F and  as high as 20 C or 68 F.
Forests	Tropical regions are surrounded by tropical rainforests.	Temperate regions are generally surrounded by grasslands and forests which provide it a unique ecosystem.
Area on Earth	Nearly 36% of the Earth’s land area falls under tropical regions.	The majority of the area of the Earth falls in the Temperate regions and has a high concentration of resources. Temperate regions are best suited for growing crops and humans live here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question 1: Why are tropical regions very hot and humid?

Answer:

Tropical regions are very hot and humid because they receive direct sunrays throughout the day which leads to high temperatures and the climate becomes very hot and humid.

Question 2: Name some species of flora and fauna in tropical regions.

Answer:

Plants such as bamboo, lilies, orchids and palms and animals such as sloths, pangolins, forest deer, jaguars, lemurs, ocelots are found in tropical regions.

Question 3: Name some species of flora and fauna in temperate regions.

Answer:

Animals such as black bears, racoons, deer, elks and plants such as maple trees, walnut trees, birch trees, lichens and mosses are found in temperate regions.

Question 4: State two benefits of tropical regions.

Answer:

Benefits of tropical regions are:

• Tropical regions are best suited for growing crops and beverages such as tea and coffee. These regions help the plants to grow better in hot and humid climates. 
• Tropical regions are the major source for factories to run and produce electricity. 

Question 5: State two benefits of temperate regions.

Answer:

Benefits of temperate regions are:

• Temperate regions have a lot of cities and towns and humans add productivity to these regions. 
• The warm temperatures in these regions helps in growing a wide variety of crops such as potatoes, wheat, fruits, tomatoes and cabbage.