The equator is an imaginary circle around the earth, an equal distance from the North and South Poles.
Since the weather gets warmer as you travel away from the polar regions toward the equator, you would think that the equator is the hottest place on earth. But there are some places on the equator where the weather is quite cool!
The city of Singapore in the Far East, which is very close to the equator, has a hot, humid climate, with year-round temperatures well up in the 80s. But Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya in Africa, is even closer to the equator than Singapore, and yet has an average temperature in the 60s. And Quito, the capital of Ecuador in South America, sits almost directly on the equator, yet has a mild, springlike climate, with temperatures as low as 25 degrees!
How can this be? Altitude has as much to do with a city’s weather as its location. Nairobi is over 5,000 feet above sea level. And Quito, which is in the Andes Mountains, is over 9,200 feet above sea level. That’s why this equatorial city has a cooler climate than many American cities.
There are no seasons on the equator. Temperatures remain just about the same throughout the year!
Related Posts
-
Why Is It Colder At the Poles Than At the Equator and Why Is It Warmer At the Equator Than At the Poles?
As the earth orbits the sun, the sun's rays strike the areas near the Equator at a more direct angle. This delivers more energy at the equator, than they do at the poles.…
-
Which Countries Are Located On the Equator and Where Is the Highest Point On the Equator?
Starting in Africa and going east, the countries that are located at the equator are Gabon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, Indonesia, Kiribati, Ecuador, Colombia, and…
-
Why Are Hot Peppers Hot and What Is the Natural Function Of the Compounds In Hot Peppers?
The chemicals in hot peppers that cause the burning sensation may protect them from animals so they get eaten by birds. Any plant, whether it is a shrub like a pepper, a tree…
-
Is the Planet Mercury Always Hot?
Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, less than half as far from the huge ball of heat as the earth is. You would think that it gets pretty hot on Mercury.…
-
How does water in the water heater always stay hot even when you use it?
Elementary science, my friend. Cold water is heavier, so it sinks to the bottom. The hot water rises to the top, which is also where you'll find the outflow pipe, the one that…
-
How do Camels Conserve Water in the Hot Dry Desert and Why do Camels Always Twitch their Noses?
Camels have many features that help them conserve water in the dry desert heat. They have very efficient cooling systems which reduces the amount of water lost through perspiration. Camels are able to…
