Zonality and azonality laws of the geographic envelope

GeographySoils, Biosphere & EnvironmentAges 15–16

A map of a hypothetical continent with sea to the west: the vertical axis is latitude from the Equator to 80°, and the horizontal axis is distance inland. Drag the survey point on the map or the elevation slider and watch the panel on the right: thermal belt, climate zone, soil group and vegetation always change together. Moving along latitude follows the law of latitudinal zonality; rising in elevation (altitudinal zonality, temperature drops 0.6°C per 100 m) and moving inland (longitudinal zonality, rainfall drops and temperature range increases) follow the azonal laws. Press Play to let the point automatically travel the path of the selected law.