UPSC Prelims 2013 Q60: Geography – Atmosphere & Climatology
The annual range of temperature in the interior of the continents is high as compared to
coastal areas. What is/are the reason/reasons?
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.
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation
High annual range of temperature in continental interiors
Land heats up and cools down faster than water.
So places far from the sea get very hot summers and very cold winters.
This is called continentality.
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Thermal difference between land and water | Correct | The true cause |
| 2. Variation in altitude between continents and oceans | Incorrect | Altitude lowers temperature; it does not widen the yearly range |
| 3. Presence of strong winds in the interior | Incorrect | Not the cause |
| 4. Heavy rains in the interior as compared to coasts | Incorrect | Interiors are usually drier |
Coast and interior compared:
| Place | Climate | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Coast | Equable (maritime); small range | Mumbai |
| Interior | Extreme (continental); large range | Delhi; Verkhoyansk in Siberia |
Answer: (a) 1 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The cause is the thermal difference between land and water.
- (b) Incorrect. Altitude is not the reason for the high annual range.
- (c) Incorrect. Neither altitude nor strong winds explains it.
- (d) Incorrect. Only statement 1 is a reason.
Key point
Continentality: land heats and cools faster than water, so interiors have a large annual range of temperature; coasts stay equable.
Remember
Interior = extreme; coast = equable.
Common mistakes
- Adding altitude, which affects average temperature, not the range.
- Thinking interiors get more rain than coasts.
- Confusing annual range with daily range.
Exam tip
The sea is a moderator. The farther from it, the more extreme the climate.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI — Fundamentals of Physical Geography, Ch 9 (Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature)
- G.C. Leong — Certificate Physical and Human Geography (Climate)