Chapter 24: The Cool Temperate Eastern Margin (Laurentian) Climate
The Laurentian Climate is an intermediate type, combining features of both the British (maritime) and Siberian (continental) climates. It is found in only two major regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
1. Key Regions
- North America: North-Eastern USA (New England) and Eastern Canada (St. Lawrence Basin, Newfoundland).
- Eastern Asia: North China, Manchuria, Korea, and Northern Japan (Hokkaido).
- Note: Like the Siberian type, this climate is absent in the Southern Hemisphere due to the lack of landmass in these latitudes.
2. Climate: The “Meeting Point”
- Temperature: Cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. It has a high annual range of temperature, though less extreme than Siberia.
- Rainfall: Well-distributed throughout the year (75 cm to 125 cm).
- In America: Summer rain comes from the Atlantic trades; winter rain/snow comes from the Westerlies.
- In Asia: Summer rain is brought by the South-East Monsoon; winter is dry due to the cold North-West Monsoon from the interior.
3. Natural Vegetation: Mixed Forests
The Laurentian region is a transition zone for trees:
- Mixed Forests: A combination of Coniferous (Softwood) and Deciduous (Hardwood) trees.
- North of 50°N50 ° cap N50°𝑁: Dominated by Conifers (Pine, Spruce).
- South of 50°N50 ° cap N50°𝑁: Deciduous trees like Oak, Beech, Maple, and Birch are common.
- Lumbering: This is the primary industry, especially in Eastern Canada (world’s largest producer of newsprint).
4. Economy: Fishing and Farming
- The World’s Best Fishing Grounds: This is the most famous aspect of the Laurentian climate.
- The Grand Banks: Off Newfoundland, where the Warm Gulf Stream meets the Cold Labrador Current.
- Why? The meeting of currents causes plankton to thrive, and the wide Continental Shelf provides shallow water for fish to breed.
- Agriculture: Fruit farming (Apples in Nova Scotia), Dairy farming, and Potatoes.
10 Revision Questions with Mnemonics
Q1: Where did the name “Laurentian” come from?
- A: From the St. Lawrence River basin in Canada.
Q2: Why is the Grand Banks so famous for fishing?
- A: Because the Warm Gulf Stream meets the Cold Labrador Current, creating perfect conditions for plankton.
- Mnemonic: “Gulf + Labrador = Great Lots of fish.”
Q3: What kind of forest is typical of the Laurentian climate?
- A: Mixed Forest (Coniferous + Deciduous).
- Mnemonic: “Laurentian is Layers of trees.”
Q4: Which country leads the world in newsprint (paper) production?
- A: Canada.
- Mnemonic: “Canada Cuts for Copies” (Paper).
Q5: What causes thick fog off the coast of Newfoundland?
- A: The meeting of warm and cold ocean currents.
- Mnemonic: “Warm + Cold = White Clouds” (on the water).
Q6: What is the main food crop in the Asian Laurentian region (Manchuria/North China)?
- A: Soya Beans, Maize, and Wheat.
- Mnemonic: “Soya for Seoul and Manchuria.”
Q7: How is the rainfall distributed in the Laurentian climate?
- A: Uniformly all year round.
- Mnemonic: “Laurentian is Lovely and wet.”
Q8: Why is there no Laurentian climate in the Southern Hemisphere?
- A: Lack of broad landmass in the
40°–
60°𝑆 latitudes.
Q9: Which tree is the symbol of Canada and found in this climate?
- A: The Maple tree.
Q10: Which Japanese island has a Laurentian climate?
- A: Hokkaido (The northernmost island).
- Mnemonic: “Hokkaido is Heavenly cold.”
Quick Summary Table: The Great Fishing Grounds
| Region | Current Meeting Point | Mnemonic |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest Atlantic | Gulf Stream + Labrador Current | “Gulf Lifts fish” |
| Northwest Pacific | Kuroshio + Oyashio | “Kuroshio Keeps ’em biting” |
