In G.C. Leong’s Certificate Physical and Human Geography (2nd Edition, 2025), Chapter 19: The Warm Temperate Western Margin (Mediterranean) Climate provides a detailed analysis of regions characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
I. Distribution
- Latitude: Typically found between 30° and 45° North and South of the equator on the western margins of continents.
- Key Regions:
- Mediterranean Basin: Largest area, surrounding the Mediterranean Sea in Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia.
- California: Specifically around the central and southern coastal areas.
- Central Chile: Notable for having the most distinguished characteristics of this climate.
- South Africa: Located at the Cape of Good Hope.
- Australia: Southern and southwestern coastal areas, including Perth and Adelaide.
II. Climatic Characteristics
- Seasonal Pattern: Characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
- Dry Summer: Caused by the offshore trade winds (Easterlies) that blow from land to sea, carrying no moisture.
- Rainy Winter: Result of the shifting of wind belts. In winter, the onshore Westerlies bring cyclonic rain from the ocean to the land.
- Local Winds:
- Sirocco: A hot, dry, dusty wind blowing from the Sahara Desert toward the Mediterranean Sea.
- Mistral: A cold, dry wind that blows from the north down the Rhone Valley in France.
- Bora: A cold, northeasterly wind along the Adriatic coast.
III. Natural Vegetation
- Adaptations: Vegetation must survive long summer droughts. Features include small, leathery leaves, thick bark, and long taproots.
- Evergreen Forests: Open woodlands with trees like evergreen oaks (notably cork oak for wine bottle corks), eucalyptus (Australia), and giant sequoias (California).
- Scrub Vegetation: Known by local names: Maquis (France), Macchia (Italy), Chaparral (California), and Mallee Scrub (Australia).
IV. Economic Development
- Orchard Lands of the World: Renowned for specialized citrus fruit cultivation, including oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit.
- Viticulture: The region is the world’s leading producer of wine, utilizing roughly 85% of its grape harvest for this purpose.
- Crop Varieties:
- Olives: Most typical cultivated tree, highly drought-resistant.
- Cereals: Hard winter wheat (used for pasta) and barley are primary cereal crops.
- Nuts and Fruits: Chestnuts, walnuts, almonds, peaches, apricots, and figs.
Lets revise again
This climate is unique because it is the only one where rain falls primarily in winter. It is found on the western margins of continents between 30° and 45° North and South of the Equator.
1. Key Regions
- Mediterranean Basin: (The largest area—Italy, Greece, Spain, N. Africa).
- California: (USA).
- Central Chile: (South America).
- Cape Town: (South Africa).
- Southern Australia: (Adelaide and Perth).
2. Climate Characteristics
- Summers: Hot, dry, and sunny. The Trade Winds blow off-shore, so there is no rain.
- Winters: Mild and wet. The Westerlies move equatorward, bringing moist air and cyclonic rain from the ocean.
- Local Winds: Famous for distinct winds like the Sirocco (Hot, dusty wind from Sahara) and the Mistral (Cold, dry wind from the Alps).
3. Natural Vegetation: Xerophytic & Sclerophyll
Plants must survive the long, hot summer drought:
- Sclerophyll Vegetation: Small, leathery, evergreen leaves that prevent water loss (e.g., Holm Oak, Cork Oak).
- Deep Roots: To reach groundwater (e.g., Olive trees).
- Thick Bark: To reduce transpiration (e.g., Cork Oak).
- Chaparral/Maquis: Thick, thorny evergreen shrubs.
4. Economy: The “Orchard of the World”
- Citrus Fruits: Famous for oranges, lemons, and limes.
- Viticulture: The specialized cultivation of grapes for wine. The Mediterranean produces 70% of the world’s wine.
- Olives: The most characteristic crop; used for oil and food.
- Cereals: Wheat and barley are grown in the wetter winter months.
10 Revision Questions with Mnemonics
Q1: What is the most unique feature of the Mediterranean climate?
- A: Winter rain and dry summers.
- Mnemonic: “Mediterranean = Moist winters.”
Q2: What is “Viticulture”?
- A: The science and production of grapes (specifically for wine).
- Mnemonic: “Viticulture = Vineyards & Vino” (wine).
Q3: Name the cold wind that blows down the Rhone Valley in France.
- A: The Mistral.
- Mnemonic: “Mistral is a Minus-temp wind.”
Q4: Why do Mediterranean trees have waxy, leathery leaves?
- A: To reduce transpiration during the hot, dry summer.
- Mnemonic: “Wax is a Water-saver.”
Q5: Which tree provides bark used for wine bottle stoppers?
- A: The Cork Oak.
- Mnemonic: “Cork tree = Corking the bottle.”
Q6: What is the “Sirocco”?
- A: A hot, dry, dusty wind blowing from the Sahara Desert toward the Mediterranean.
- Mnemonic: “Sirocco = Sahara Sand.”
Q7: Name the Mediterranean region in South Africa.
- A: The Cape Town region (SW tip).
- Mnemonic: “Cape Climate” (Mediterranean).
Q8: Why are olives so common in this climate?
- A: Their deep roots and leathery leaves make them perfectly adapted to summer droughts.
- Mnemonic: “Olive = Oily and hardy.”
Q9: What is “Maquis” or “Chaparral”?
- A: Short, stunted, evergreen shrubs found in Mediterranean regions.
- Mnemonic: “Shrubs for Summer survival.”
Q10: Which winds bring rain to this region in winter?
- A: The Westerlies.
- Mnemonic: “Westerlies = Wet winter.”
Quick Summary Table: The Mediterranean Orchard
| Crop | Adaptation | Mnemonic |
|---|---|---|
| Citrus | Thick Skin | “Skin saves Sap” |
| Grape | Long Roots | “Vine for Viticulture” |
| Olive | Leathery Leaves | “Olives are Old-school” (Hardy) |
