Middle America:
Altitudinal Zonation
Altitudinal variations (mountains) in tropical areas have a significant impact on the local climate resulting in climatic zones that correspond with elevation. This zonation of climate according to elevation is called altitudinal zonation [altzona]. Each zone has its distinctive climate, vegetation, agriculture, and therefore lifestyles.
Physical geographers have named these climatic zones. Different authors sometimes differ slightly in their terminology and characteristics, but they all describe the effects of a 3.5 degree Fahrenheit drop in temperature that occurs with every 100 foot increase in elevation.
The mountains of the "Ring of Fire" [ringfire] found in Middle and South America exhibit these altitudinal zones [mmclimat] [smclimat].
In equatorial areas geographers describe five altitudinal climatic zones :
Further north or south from the equator, the elevations of each altitudinal zone declines.
Tierra Caliente
[Small: altzona]
[Large: altzona]
From sea level to 2,500 feet is the tierra caliente or "hot land". These are the humid tropical lowlands found on the coastal plains. The coastal plains on the west coast of Middle America are quite narrow [mmeleves], but they are wider along the Caribbean coast.
Here you find tropical rain forests and tropical commercial plantations growing sugarcane and bananas. Food crops found here include manioc, sweet potatoes, yams, maize, beans, and rice, and farmers will have a few brahma cattle.
Few people [mmecumen] [mmpopden] live here because of the prevalence of disease.
Tierra Templada
[Small: altzona]
[Large: altzona]
From 2,500 to 6,000 feet is the tierra templada or "temperate land" because of the cooler temperatures. This is the most populated area [mmpopden] [mmecumen] of Latin America. Four of the seven capitals of the Central American republics are found in the tierra templada.
Coffee is the main commercial crop. food crops include maize, wheat, beans, and vegetables.
Tierra Fria
[Small: altzona]
[Large: altzona]
From 6,000 to 12,000 feet (the tree line) is the tierra fria or "cold land". This is the highest zone found in Middle America. wheat, barley, potatoes, and maize are grown here. In South America this is the climatic zone of the Inca [wwhearsm] culture hearth.
Puna
[Small: altzona]
[Large: altzona]
Above the tree line, from 12,000 to 15,000 feet, is the puna. In South America, these cold regions support some grasses that are use for grazing sheep, llama, vicuna, and el paca.
Tierra Helada
[Small: altzona]
[Large: altzona]
Above 15,000 feet is a region of permanent snow and ice called the tierra helada, or "frozen land".