Climatic Controls

Water heats up and cools down more slowly than land. Therefore, the nearby sea moderates Mumbai’s summer and winter temperatures, producing a smaller annual temperature range. Delhi is far from the sea and has a more continental climate, so its temperatures vary more widely. Exam tip: Coastal places usually have an equable climate, while inland places tend to experience more extreme temperatures.

Land and water heat and cool at different rates. The sea changes temperature more slowly, so places near it usually experience a moderating influence. Delhi is far inland, so it does not receive the same direct moderating effect of the sea. Its temperature can therefore rise more in hot periods and fall more in cool periods, producing greater annual or seasonal extremes than in coastal Mumbai.

Option A is correct because Delhi’s distance from the sea gives it a stronger continental influence. Mumbai’s coastal location tends to reduce extreme temperature differences, though many other factors also affect actual temperatures. The other choices are clearly unrelated or impossible. The key comparison is inland location versus coastal location.

Chennai lies on the coast of the Bay of Bengal, so its climate is influenced by distance from the sea. Water heats up and cools down slowly, which makes the annual temperature range of coastal areas relatively smaller. Latitude also affects climate, but the clue ‘coastal location’ specifically points to distance from the sea. Exam tip: For places near a coast, look for ‘distance from the sea’ or ‘maritime influence’.

Areas far from the sea can have higher temperature differences. Maritime influence moderates temperature.

Pressure and wind systems are related to the atmosphere. They affect distribution of moisture and temperature.

Ocean currents are movements of warm or cold seawater that influence the temperature and rainfall of coastal areas. Therefore, they are a marine climatic control. Population growth is a human-related factor, not a marine control of climate. Exam tip: Ocean currents mainly affect the climate of coastal regions.

Temperature decreasing with altitude is a common climatic effect. This is a correct pair of control and effect.

Latitude affects the angle and intensity of the Sun’s rays received at a place. Near the Equator, rays are more direct and produce greater heat; at higher latitudes, rays are slanting and temperatures are lower. Altitude and distance from the sea also affect climate, but latitude most directly controls the amount of heat and cold. Exam tip: In general, temperature decreases as distance from the Equator increases.

Mountains can block moist winds causing rainfall on one side and rain shadow on the other. This is the effect of relief.

In coastal areas the sea has greater effect on temperature and moisture. This is called maritime influence.

India has differences in latitude, altitude, distance from sea and relief. Therefore climatic diversity is found.

Climatic controls explain why different places have different climates. This is a basic idea in geography.

The height of a place above mean sea level is called altitude, so option A is correct. Temperature generally decreases with increasing altitude, which affects the climate of a place. Latitude also influences climate, but it refers to distance from the Equator, not height above sea level. Exam tip: When a question says ‘above sea level’, look for altitude.

Latitude expresses a place’s angular distance, in degrees, north or south of the Equator; therefore, latitude is correct. Longitude measures distance east or west of the Prime Meridian, not from the Equator. Exam tip: lines drawn parallel to the Equator are lines of latitude.

Distance from the sea tells whether a place is near the coast or inland. It affects climate.

Winds can carry moisture from one place to another. Therefore wind systems are important in moisture distribution.

Places near the sea coast have stronger influence of the sea. This keeps temperature more moderated.

Areas very far from the sea have less maritime moderation. Therefore continental influence is stronger.

The correct answer is the influence of the sea. Water heats up and cools down more slowly than land, so areas near the sea have smaller day-night and seasonal temperature variations. Altitude can lower temperature, but proximity to the sea is the main reason for moderate temperatures in coastal South India. Exam tip: Coastal areas generally have less extreme temperatures.

The Western Ghats help moist monsoon winds rise. This causes more rainfall on the windward side.