2.1    The factors affecting the

.  The factors affecting the climate Climate of India is affected by the factors of latitude, altitude, distance from the seas, monsoon wind, relief features and jet stream. Latitude Latitudinally, India lies between ° 'N and ° 'N latitudes. The Tropic of Cancer ( ° 'N) divides the country into two equal halves. The area located to the south of Tropic of Cancer ex- periences high temperature and no severe cold season throughout the year whereas, the areas to the north of this parallel enjoy subtropical climate. Altitude When the altitude increases, The temperature decreases. Temperature decreases at the rate of .50C for every metres of ascent. It is called normal lapse rate. Hence, places in the mountains are cooler than the places on the plains. Ooty and several other hill stations of South India and of the Himalayan ranges like Mussourie, Shimla etc., are much cooler than the places located on the Great Plains. Find out the temperature of Ooty (2240m) when it is 350C in Chennai ( .7m) Distance from the Sea A large area of India, especially the peninsular region, is not very far from the sea and this entire area has a clear maritime influence on climate. This part of the country does not have a