3.5. The Warm Temperate Western Margin (Mediterranean) Climate

Distribution: The Warm Temperate Western Margin Climate is found in relatively, few areas in the world. They are entirely confined to the western portion of continental masses, between 30° and 45° north and south of the equator. The basic cause of this type of climate is the shifting of the wind belts. Though the area around the Mediterranean Sea has the greatest extent of this type of 'winter rain climate', and gives rise to the more popular name Mediterranean Climate. Other Mediterranean regions include California (around San Francisco), the south-western tip of Africa (around Cape Town), southern Australia (in southern Victoria and around Adelaide, bordering the St. Vincent and Spencer Gulfs), and south-west Australia (Swanland).

Climatic Conditions: The Mediterranean type of climate is characterized by very distinctive climatic features - a warm summer with off-shore trades, a concentration of rainfall in winter with onshore westerlies, bright, sunny weather with hot dry summers and wet, mild winters and the prominence of local winds around the Mediterranean Sea (Sirocco, Mistral). Since all regions with a Mediterranean climate are near large bodies of water, temperatures are generally moderate with a comparatively small range of temperature res between the winter low and summer high. Areas with this climate receive almost all of their yearly rainfall during the winter season, and may go the summer without having any significant precipitation.

Natural vegetation: Trees with small broad leaves are widely spaced and never very tall. Though there are many branches they are short and carry few leaves. The absence of shade is a distinct feature of Mediterranean lands. Growth is slow in the cooler and wetter season, even though more rain comes in winter. The warm, bright summers and cool, moist winters enable a wide range of crops to be cultivated. The Mediterranean lands are also known as the world's orchard lands. A wide range of citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, citrons and grapefruit are grown. Wine production is another speciality of the Mediterranean countries, because the best wine is essentially made from grapes. Some 85 per cent of grapes produced, go into wine. The long, sunny summer allows the grapes to ripen and then they are hand- picked.

Economy: The area is important for fruit cultivation, cereal growing, wine-making and agricultural industries as well as engineering and mining.