Texes Social Studies Content Practice Exam

What factor is most critical in determining an area's climate?

1. A) Elevation

2. B) Latitude

3. C) Population density

4. D) Urbanization

The correct answer is: B) Latitude

Latitude is a fundamental factor in determining an area's climate because it directly influences the amount of sunlight and the angle at which solar rays hit the Earth. Latitude refers to the distance north or south of the Equator, with differing latitudes receiving varying levels of solar energy across the year. Areas closer to the Equator typically experience warmer temperatures and less variation in climate, while regions closer to the poles tend to be cooler and have more extreme seasonal variations. Other factors, such as elevation, do play a role in climate by affecting temperature and precipitation patterns, but latitude provides the primary baseline for climatic classification. Population density and urbanization influence local climate to some extent, typically through urban heat island effects, but they are not fundamental determinants of climate as latitude is. Understanding latitude's influence on climate helps clarify broader weather patterns and ecological conditions across the globe.