the caribbean: physical environment. climate in nice most of the year, although rainy from may to...
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The Caribbean: Physical Environment
• Climate in nice most of the year, although rainy from May to November
• Trade winds – blow from east across the Atlantic Ocean and have a pleasant cooling effect
• There are 2 ‘sides’ to the islands; the windward & leeward
The Caribbean: Physical Environment
Characteristics Windward Leeward
Rainfall Rainfall levels are higher Lower rainfall levels
Vegetation Dense Vegetation (tropical, green)
Less vegetation (desert, grassy)
Coastal Landforms Coasts are rockier with stronger ocean currents
Coasts are sandier with weaker ocean currents
Location of Tourist Resorts Few resorts here Most resorts here
The Caribbean: Physical Environment
• 3 main types of islands1. Low lying• Limestone islands with offshore coral reefs• Long white beaches
2. Mountainous Volcanic• Green, lush mountains• Old volcanoes• Higher rainfall• Fewer hours of sunshine
3. Large islands• Similar structure to the volcanic islands, but with a wider variety
of landscapes
The effect of mountain range on precipitation
• As moist air rises over a mountain, the water in the clouds condenses and falls as rain. By the time wind reaches the top of mountain it is dry. The other side of the mountain receives little or no rain.
The effect of mountain range on precipitation
• The effect of mountain ranges increases with the heights of the mountain involved. The higher the mountain, the drier the leeward side.
• All Caribbean islands have this effect to some degree. The islands marked windward or leeward are most affected.
Advantages of the Caribbean Environment for Tourists
• warm climate throughout the year• beautiful beaches• scenic landscapes• similar culture• excellent for water sports• modern travel and accommodation facilities in major
centres• most foods locally supplied• within short travelling distance of major market (North
America)
Disadvantages of the Caribbean Environment for Tourists
• remote locations, sometimes involve changes in modes of transport
• infrastructure travelling to more remote places sometimes to Canada in need of improvement
• occasional severe tropical storms• some tropical diseases
Hurricanes
• Hurricanes can case server loss of life and devastate economies
• Actually only hit 2-3 times every 100 years ‘• Hurricane season runs from late August to
beginning of November • Most Caribbean hurricanes start off the west
coast of Africa• Winds must hit 74 mph (119 km/hr) to be
considered a hurricane
Stage 1
• Northeast trade winds meet with the southeast winds around the equator. The earth’s rotation forces the winds into a spin.
Stages 2
• Warm water in ocean is actually pulled up by the winds, until it reaches the upper part of the atmosphere where it cools, condenses and forms rain. A tropical storm is formed.
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