Watch Temperate & Continental Climates

Live-action film footage, maps, and computer animations introduce the climate of temperate regions and compare it with that of continental regions. Temperate climates, produced by proximity to the ocean, are characterized by moist air and relatively little variation in temperature. This moderate climate makes the areas ideal for agriculture, wildlife, and the growth of cities. In contrast, continental regions are far colder in winter and are afflicted by many severe storms in the summer. Nevertheless, people and wildlife also thrive in continental climates.