Distribution
The equatorial region is found around the equator, roughly between 5° North and 5° South latitude, though it can extend up to 10° on either side in some places due to ocean currents and wind patterns.
This region includes:
- Amazon Basin in South America
- Congo Basin and parts of West Africa
- Malay Archipelago and New Guinea in Southeast Asia
These areas are typically low-lying and densely forested.
Climate
The climate here is described as uniformly hot and wet throughout the year. It has:
- High temperatures (around 27°C–30°C) with very little seasonal variation
- Daily rainfall, often in the form of convectional rain in the afternoon
- High humidity (above 80%)
- A single season – the wet season, which continues throughout the year
There is no dry season. This kind of climate is also called equatorial rainforest climate or Af type in the Köppen classification.
Equatorial Vegetation
This region supports the world’s most luxuriant vegetation – the tropical rainforest.
Features of equatorial forests:
- Evergreen and dense, with multiple layers (emergent, canopy, understory)
- Trees are tall (up to 60m), hardwood, and have broad leaves
- Common species include mahogany, ebony, rubber, and palm
- Presence of lianas (climbing plants) and epiphytes (plants growing on other plants)
- The forest is so thick that sunlight rarely reaches the ground
This biodiversity is unmatched, housing a wide range of animal and plant life.
Life and Development in Equatorial Regions
Life here is deeply shaped by the dense forests and humid climate. Traditionally:
- Indigenous people like Pygmies of the Congo, Yanomami of the Amazon, and Dayaks of Borneo live by hunting, gathering, and shifting cultivation
- Settlements are small, scattered, and usually along rivers
- With limited infrastructure, access to education, healthcare, and modern amenities is often low
In recent decades, logging, mining, and plantation agriculture (rubber, cocoa, oil palm) have introduced some degree of development—but also serious ecological and social consequences.
Factors Affecting the Development of Equatorial Regions
1. Equatorial Climate and Health
- Constant humidity and high temperatures lead to the spread of tropical diseases like malaria, yellow fever, and sleeping sickness
- Poor air circulation and wet conditions worsen health conditions and create a difficult environment for sustained physical work
2. Prevalence of Bacteria and Insect Pests
- The warm and moist conditions make it ideal for the growth of bacteria, fungi, and insects
- Diseases affect both humans and animals, limiting agricultural productivity
- Infrastructure like buildings and roads degrade faster due to constant moisture and biological activity
3. Jungle Hinders Development and Maintenance
- The forests are impenetrable, with thick undergrowth and giant trees
- Clearing land for agriculture, roads, or construction is expensive and labor-intensive
- Lack of navigable roads and difficult terrain hamper transportation and communication
4. Rapid Deterioration of Tropical Soil
- Despite lush vegetation, the soils are poor in nutrients
- Heavy rain causes leaching, washing away minerals
- When forests are cleared, the thin topsoil is quickly eroded, making agriculture unsustainable in the long term
Difficulties in Lumbering and Livestock Farming
Lumbering – Lumbering refers to the process of cutting down trees and processing them into timber or wood products for commercial use. It includes activities such as felling, transporting, and preparing logs for use in industries like construction, furniture-making, and paper production.
- Although forests are dense, commercial lumbering is challenging due to:
- Lack of transportation facilities
- Difficulty in identifying valuable trees (mixed variety, scattered)
- Rapid decay and insect infestation after felling
- Environmental restrictions due to growing conservation concerns
Livestock Farming – Livestock farming is the rearing of animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry for meat, milk, wool, eggs, and labor.
- High humidity and presence of disease-carrying insects like the tsetse fly in Africa make cattle rearing difficult
- Lack of pasture due to thick forests
- Dairy and meat production is generally low; most livestock are small-scale and local
