Chapter 15 of G.C. Leong’s Certificate Physical and Human Geography is titled “The Hot, Wet Equatorial Climate.” It covers regions typically found between 5° and 10° North and South of the equator.
1. Distribution
This climate is most prominently found in the following regions:
- South America: The Amazon Basin and the northern Andes.
- Africa: The Congo Basin and the coast of the Gulf of Guinea.
- Asia: Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea (the East Indies islands).
2. Climatic Characteristics
The hot, wet equatorial climate is characterized by consistent high temperatures around 80°F (27°C) with minimal annual variation. Heavy annual rainfall, typically 60 to 100 inches, is distributed throughout the year without a dry season, often featuring afternoon convectional storms. Humidity remains high, creating an oppressive environment.
3. Equatorial Vegetation
The primary vegetation is dense tropical rainforest, known as Selvas, with high biodiversity and a layered structure. Evergreen hardwoods like mahogany and ebony, along with lianas and epiphytes, are common.
4. Life and Development
Historically, these regions were inhabited by hunter-gatherer groups like the Pygmies and Orang Asli. Development faces challenges due to health issues from heat and diseases like malaria, difficulties in maintaining infrastructure through dense vegetation, and poor soil quality after forest clearing.
