NCERT Class 11 Geography Fundamental of Physical Geography: Chapter 11 — World Climate and Climate Change
This chapter from NCERT's Fundamental of Physical Geography, Class 11, introduces the classification of world climates. It explains three main approaches: empirical, genetic, and applied. The empirical approach, based on observed temperature and precipitation data, is highlighted through Koeppen's classification scheme. Koeppen's system, developed in 1918 and modified over time, uses capital letters (A, B, C, D, E) for major climatic groups and small letters for subdivisions based on precipitation seasonality and temperature severity. The chapter details the characteristics of these groups, including Tropical Humid (A), Dry (B), Warm Temperate (C), Cold Snow Forest (D), and Cold (E) climates, providing specific examples like Tropical Wet (Af), Tropical Monsoon (Am), and Tropical Wet and Dry (Aw). Understanding these classifications is crucial for analyzing global climate patterns and their impact.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | Geography |
| Book | Fundamental of Physical Geography |
| Chapter | Chapter 11 — World Climate and Climate Change |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 5 minutes |
| Word count | 966 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the different approaches to climate classification.
- Learn about Koeppen's empirical climate classification scheme.
- Identify the major climatic groups (A, B, C, D, E) and their characteristics.
- Recognize subdivisions of climatic types based on temperature and precipitation seasonality.
- Gain knowledge about the distribution and characteristics of various climate types globally.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Empirical classification | Classification based on observed data, particularly temperature and precipitation. |
| Genetic classification | Classification that attempts to organize climates according to their causes. |
| Applied classification | Classification for a specific purpose. |
| Koeppen's scheme | An empirical climate classification system based on temperature and precipitation data. |
| Humid climates | Climates designated by capital letters A, C, D, and E in Koeppen's scheme. |
| Dry climates | Climates designated by capital letter B in Koeppen's scheme. |
| Seasonality of precipitation | The pattern of dry and wet seasons within a year. |
| Tropical wet climate (Af) | Climate near the equator with no dry season. |
| Tropical monsoon climate (Am) | Climate with heavy rainfall mostly in summer and a dry winter. |
| Tropical wet and dry climate (Aw) | Climate bordering dry regions, with a dry winter. |
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Practice questions
- What are the three broad approaches to classifying climate? Answer: The three broad approaches are empirical, genetic, and applied classification.
- What is the basis of Koeppen's climate classification? Answer: Koeppen's classification is empirical, based on observed mean annual and mean monthly temperature and precipitation data.
- Which capital letters in Koeppen's scheme represent humid climates? Answer: A, C, D, and E represent humid climates.
- What does the capital letter 'B' signify in Koeppen's classification? Answer: The capital letter 'B' signifies dry climates.
- What do the small letters 'f', 'm', 'w', and 's' indicate in Koeppen's scheme? Answer: These letters indicate seasons of dryness: 'f' for no dry season, 'm' for monsoon climate, 'w' for winter dry season, and 's' for summer dry season.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which of the following is NOT one of the three broad approaches to classifying climate?
Explanation: The chapter mentions empirical, genetic, and applied approaches. Geographical classification is not listed as one of the primary approaches discussed.
Q2. Koeppen's climate classification is primarily based on:
Explanation: Koeppen's scheme is an empirical classification based on observed mean annual and mean monthly temperature and precipitation data.
Q3. In Koeppen's classification, which capital letter represents Dry Climates?
Explanation: The chapter explicitly states that capital letter B delineates dry climates.
Q4. The small letter 'f' in Koeppen's scheme indicates:
Explanation: The letter 'f' corresponds to no dry season, meaning rainfall occurs throughout the year.
Q5. Which of the following is a characteristic of Tropical Humid Climates (Group A)?
Explanation: The chapter defines Group A (Tropical) climates as having an average temperature of the coldest month of 18°C or higher.
Q6. The subdivision 'Am' in Koeppen's classification refers to:
Explanation: 'Am' designates the Tropical monsoon climate, characterized by heavy rainfall mostly in summer and a dry winter.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main basis for Koeppen's climate classification?
Koeppen's classification is empirical, based on observed mean annual and mean monthly temperature and precipitation data, and their relationship with vegetation distribution.
How many major climatic groups did Koeppen identify?
Koeppen identified five major climatic groups: A (Tropical), B (Dry), C (Warm Temperate), D (Cold Snow Forest), and E (Cold).
What do the capital letters A, C, D, and E represent in Koeppen's scheme?
These capital letters represent humid climates.
What does the capital letter 'B' represent in Koeppen's scheme?
The capital letter 'B' represents dry climates, where potential evaporation exceeds precipitation.
How are climatic groups further subdivided in Koeppen's system?
Climatic groups are subdivided into types using small letters that indicate seasonality of precipitation (f, m, w, s) and temperature characteristics (a, b, c, d).
What is the characteristic of the 'Af' climate type?
Af represents the Tropical wet climate, found near the equator, with no dry season and significant rainfall throughout the year.
What distinguishes the 'Am' climate type from 'Af'?
The 'Am' (Tropical monsoon climate) has a short dry season, whereas the 'Af' (Tropical wet climate) has no dry season.
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NCERT Class 11 Geography — Fundamental of Physical Geography — Chapter 11 — World Climate and Climate Change. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.