Distribution
This climate is mostly found on the eastern margins of continents, between 25° and 35° latitudes in both hemispheres. It’s also sometimes called the “China Type Climate” in the Northern Hemisphere and has similar versions like the “Gulf Type” in the southeastern U.S., and the “Natal Type” in parts of South Africa.
Key regions include:
- East and Southeast China, including parts of Taiwan and Korea
- Southern Japan
- Southeastern USA (Gulf states like Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana)
- Southern Brazil, Uruguay, northern Argentina
- Eastern Australia (like Brisbane)
- Eastern South Africa (Natal region)
Despite being spread across different continents, all these regions share common climatic traits and similar economic activities.
Climate
This climate combines elements of both tropical and temperate zones, thanks to its location along the eastern coasts. The warm ocean currents nearby also influence the weather.
China Type (East Asia)
- Hot, humid summers due to the onshore monsoon winds
- Cool, dry winters with offshore winds
- Most rainfall occurs in the summer months, often heavy and accompanied by typhoons
- There’s a clear seasonal rhythm: summer rain, winter dryness, with spring and autumn as transition seasons
Gulf Type (Southeastern USA)
- Similar to China type but with less extreme temperature contrasts
- Summers are hot and wet, with occasional hurricanes
- Winters are mild and wetter than in East Asia
- Rain is more evenly distributed throughout the year
Natal Type (Eastern South Africa)
- This is a southern hemisphere counterpart to the China type
- Warm summers with regular rainfall
- Mild winters, slightly drier
- Influenced by the warm Agulhas Current and moist southeast trade winds
Natural Vegetation
The vegetation here reflects the seasonal climate. It’s a mix of:
- Deciduous forests in cooler areas (trees shed leaves in winter)
- Subtropical evergreen forests in more humid parts
- Bamboo groves, camphor, and laurel in East Asia
- Mangroves and salt marshes near coastal zones
- Savanna or grasslands towards the drier interior margins
In some places, human activity (especially farming) has drastically changed the natural vegetation.
Economic Development
Thanks to a warm growing season, plenty of rainfall, and fertile river valleys, the regions with this climate have become agricultural powerhouses. Each region has its own focus depending on local conditions.
Farming in Monsoon Regions (China Type)
- Rice cultivation is dominant in lowlands — especially in river valleys and deltas (Yangtze, Pearl, etc.)
- Double or even triple cropping is possible due to the long growing season
- Uplands grow wheat, maize, millet, and barley
- Tea, sugarcane, and mulberry (for silk) are major commercial crops
- Fishing and poultry farming are also widely practiced
This region has supported dense populations for centuries, largely due to productive agriculture.
Agriculture in the Gulf States (USA)
- Famous for commercial farming on large plantations
- Corn, cotton, tobacco, soybeans, and peanuts are key crops
- Livestock rearing (especially cattle and pigs) is common
- Mechanized agriculture and use of fertilizers make this region one of the world’s leading food producers.
The mild climate and deep soils have made the Gulf States critical to American agriculture.
Crop Cultivation in Eastern Margins of the Southern Hemisphere
- Brazil, Uruguay, and northern Argentina grow coffee, sugarcane, cotton, and citrus fruits
- In eastern Australia, farmers produce wheat, sugarcane, and fruits, along with dairy farming
- South Africa’s Natal region is known for sugarcane, maize, and citrus, with a mix of subsistence and commercial farming
Though not as densely populated as East Asia, these regions are steadily expanding their agricultural output.
