When you have finished this page, try the Climate Quiz.
Climate refers to the conditions in the atmosphere in a place over a long period of time.
The major factor in determining the climate of an area is its latitude. Latitude is the distance north and south of the equator. Since the equator gets the most direct rays of the sun, the climates there are warm. The places further from the equator get less direct rays of the sun and thus their climate is cooler. The areas above the Arctic Circle and below the Antarctic Circle have polar climates.