South America is considered the most humid continent of the planet, since every year a large amount of rains falls here. The northern part of the mainland lies in the equatorial zone. It is characteristic, especially in the summer, heavy rains, which more than 3000 mm falls over a year. The temperature practically does not change during the year, ranges from +20 to +25 degrees Celsius. A huge forest is located in this area.
Subequatorial belt
The subequatorial belt is higher and below the equatorial zone, located in the southern and northern hemisphere of the Earth. The more deep into the mainland, the greater the climate becomes continental. On the border with an equatorial precipitation belt falls up to 2000 mm per year, and variable-moist forests grow here. There are less and less in the continental zone of precipitation: 500-1000 mm per year. Savannah begins in this area. The rainy season falls on June-August in the north of the mainland, and in the south-in December-February. The cold season occurs at different times of the year, depending on the remoteness from the equator.
Tropical belt
South of the subequatorial lies a tropical belt in South America. The climatic conditions here differ significantly from the tropics of Australia and Africa. Here there is a significant influence of warmths, which contributes to uniform moisture of the territory and prevents the appearance of large deserts, only in the West is there a desert of the attack with a unique climate, which is isolated from wet air. The continental region of the tropical climate occupies the central part of the continent. About 1000 mm of precipitation falls a year here, and there are savannahs. In the east there are variable-humid forests with a high amount of precipitation. Summer temperature is higher than +25 degrees, and winter from +8 to +20.
Subtropic belt
Another climatic zone of South America is a subtropical belt below the tropics. Here the air is dryer and the steppes begin, and in the depths of the mainland, semideserts and deserts form. The average precipitation per year is 250-500 mm. In the West, more rains falls, and evergreen forests form. In January, the temperature reaches +24 degrees, and in July the indicators can be below 0.
The southern part of the continent is covered by a moderate climatic belt. It was here that a large number of deserts formed from the influence of cold air masses. Precipitation falls out no more than 250 mm per year. The temperature in this area is always low. In January, the highest indicator reaches +20, and in July the temperature drops below 0.
The climate of South America is special. The continent is in five climatic zones, but weather conditions differ from similar belts on other continents. For example, there are no deserts in the tropics, but in a temperate climate.
