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UPSC Prelims 2002 · Environment · Nature’s Machinery
Consider the following statements: Which of these statements are correct?
- In equatorial regions, the year is divided into four main seasons
- In the Mediterranean region, summer receives more rain
- In China type climate, rainfall occurs throughout the year
- Tropical highlands exhibit vertical zonation of different climates
- (a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
- (b) 1, 2 and 3
- (c) 1, 2 and 4
- (d) 3 and 4
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (d) 3 and 4
Only China type (rain all year) and vertical zonation in tropical highlands are correct.
Statement by statement
1. ✗ WRONG The equator has no seasons — every day is much the same.
2. ✗ WRONG — reversed The Mediterranean gets its rain in WINTER; summers are dry.
3. ✓ CORRECT China type gets summer monsoon rain and winter cyclonic rain — rain all year.
4. ✓ CORRECT On tropical mountains, climate changes with height: hot at the base, cool higher up, even snow at the top (Kilimanjaro, Andes).
The idea
Four climates, one line each. Equatorial: no seasons. Mediterranean: rain in winter. China type: rain all year with a summer peak. Tropical highlands: climate changes with height.
Foot of a tropical mountain: hot, tropical crops → Middle slopes: mild, coffee and maize → Higher: cool, wheat and potatoes → Top: snow and ice
The trap
Statement 2 is a flipped fact — easy to miss if you read quickly.
Also know
The China type is the warm temperate climate of eastern margins: summer rain from the monsoon and typhoons, winter rain from cyclones. The same type is called the Gulf type in the south-eastern USA and the Natal type in South Africa.
🔒 Mediterranean = winter rain · equator = no seasons · altitude = latitude in miniature.
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