Climatic Condition:

The Warm Temperate Eastern Margin Climate is typified by a warm moist summer and a cool, dry winter. The mean monthly temperature varies between 5°C and 25°C and is strongly modified by maritime influence. The relative humidity is a little high in mid-summer. Rainfall is more than moderate, anything from 25 inches to 60 inches. Another important feature is the fairly uniform distribution of rainfall throughout the year. There is rain every month, except in the interior of central China, where there is a distinct dry season. Rain comes either from convectional sources or as orographic rain in summer, or from depressions in prolonged showers in winter. Local storms, e.g. typhoons, and hurricanes, also occur.

It can be sub-divided into three main types – a) The China type: central and north China (including southern Japan (temperate monsoonal). b) The Gulf type: south-eastern United States, (slight-monsoonal). c) The Natal type: the entire warm temperate eastern margin (non- monsoonal areas) of the southern hemisphere including Natal, eastern Australia and southern Brazil-Paraguay-Uruguay and northern Argentina.

Natural Vegetation: The eastern margins of warm temperate latitudes have a much heavier rainfall than either the western margins or the continental interiors and thus have luxuriant vegetation. The lowlands carry both evergreen broad-leaved forests and deciduous trees quite similar to those of the tropical monsoon forests. On the highlands, are various species of conifers such as pines and cypresses that are important softwood.

Economy: The warm temperate eastern margins are the most productive parts of the middle latitudes. Besides the widespread cultivation of. Maize and cotton in the Corn and Cotton Belts of U.S.A. fruit and tobacco are also grown. Rice, tea and mulberries are extensively grown in monsoon China.

Elsewhere are found other products of economic importance, e.g. cane sugar in Natal, coffee and maize in South America and dairying in New South Wales and Victoria.