Africa's climate zones are roughly arranged how?

In bands mirrored north and south of the equator

What is the Harmattan?

A dry, dusty wind from the Sahara

African Climate Zones Challenge – A 10-Question Trivia Quiz

This African climate zones challenge explains rainforest, savanna, desert, Mediterranean and highland climates, plus the Harmattan wind and rainy seasons. A 10-question trivia quiz with clear answers on Africa's weather.

Start African Climate Zones Challenge

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Pattern
Africa's climate zones are roughly arranged how?
Harmattan
What is the Harmattan?
Mediterranean
Which African city has a Mediterranean climate with wet winters?
Highlands
Why is Nairobi cooler than many places near the equator?
Rain
Places near the equator often have how many rainy seasons?
Sahel
The Sahel's climate is what?
Currents
Which cold current makes the Namib coast foggy and dry?
Weather
What is the zone of rising air near the equator called?
Snow
Which African countries can see snow?
Records
Which is often called the sunniest place on Earth?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Africa's climate zones are roughly arranged how?
Answer: In bands mirrored north and south of the equator
Rainforest lies near the equator, with savanna, then desert, then Mediterranean climates farther away.
Q2: What is the Harmattan?
Answer: A dry, dusty wind from the Sahara
It blows across West Africa from November to March, bringing haze and cool nights.
Q3: Which African city has a Mediterranean climate with wet winters?
Answer: Cape Town
Cape Town and North African coasts both have dry summers and rainy winters.
Q4: Why is Nairobi cooler than many places near the equator?
Answer: Its high altitude
Nairobi sits about 1,795 meters above sea level.
Q5: Places near the equator often have how many rainy seasons?
Answer: Two
As the sun passes overhead twice a year, rains arrive twice.
Q6: The Sahel's climate is what?
Answer: Semi-arid
It gets short summer rains and long dry seasons.
Q7: Which cold current makes the Namib coast foggy and dry?
Answer: Benguela Current
Cold water cools the air, creating fog but little rain.
Q8: What is the zone of rising air near the equator called?
Answer: Intertropical Convergence Zone
The ITCZ moves north and south with the seasons, bringing rain.
Q9: Which African countries can see snow?
Answer: Morocco and Lesotho
Snow falls in the Atlas, the Drakensberg and on high peaks.
Q10: Which is often called the sunniest place on Earth?
Answer: Parts of the eastern Sahara
Some Saharan areas get about 4,000 hours of sunshine a year.

African Climate Zones Challenge – Weather Across a Continent

Africa straddles the equator, so its climate zones form mirror-image bands. Rainforests grow near the equator, savannas lie on either side and deserts sit beneath dry, sinking air farther north and south.

Altitude and ocean currents change the pattern. Highlands like Ethiopia and Kenya are cooler, while cold currents off Namibia create foggy deserts. Seasonal winds such as the Harmattan bring dust and haze.

Climate change is affecting Africa strongly, with longer droughts, heavier rains and rising heat. Understanding climate zones helps farmers, planners and communities prepare and adapt.

What This Quiz Teaches

This challenge helps students understand Africa's climates and weather patterns.

How climate bands are arranged
What the Harmattan is
Why highlands are cooler
How ocean currents create fog
Where snow falls in Africa

Did You Know?

Africa is the hottest continent overall.
Snow has fallen in parts of the Sahara.
Kinshasa has a hot, humid climate.
Lesotho has ski resorts.
The Sahara has extreme day-night temperature swings.