climate

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Combination of weather conditions at a particular place over a period of time – usually a minimum of 30 years. A climate classification encompasses the averages, extremes, and frequencies of all meteorological elements such as temperature, atmospheric pressure, precipitation, wind, humidity, and sunshine, together with the factors that influence them.

The primary factors that influence the climate of an area are: latitude (as a result of the Earth's rotation and orbit); ocean currents; large-scale movements of wind belts and air masses over the Earth's surface; temperature differences between land and sea surfaces; topography; continent positions; and vegetation. In the long term, changes in the Earth's orbit and the angle of its axis inclination also affect climate. Climatologists are especially concerned with the influences of human activity on climate change, among the most important of which, at both local and global levels, are those currently linked with ozone depleters, the greenhouse effect, and global warming.

Red represents work. Yellow symbolizes justice. The design is based on the French tricolour. Green stands for solidarity. Effective date: 10 November 1958. >>