Q. The annual range of temperature in the interior of the continents is high as compared to coastal areas. What is/are the reason(s)?

1. Thermal difference between land and water
2. Variation in altitude between continents and oceans
3. Presence of strong winds in the interior
4. Heavy rains in the interior as compared to coasts

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

• 1 only
• 1 and 2 only
• 2 and 3 only
• 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (a) 1 only

Notes:

• One major factor affecting the distribution of the temperature of Earth is the distribution of Land and Oceans.
  • Since there is more land in Northern Hemisphere and more water in the Southern hemisphere and there is a big difference between the specific heat of land and water; the loss of heat from the continents is bigger than the oceans.
  • The continents get heated faster and get cooled faster in comparison to the Oceans.
  • This is the reason that the temperatures of the Oceans are moderate while that of continents is extreme.
  • The moderating effect on the temperature of the land due to the proximity of the seas is called Maritime influence.
  • The increasing effect on the temperature of the land at the interior of the continents is called Continental Influence.