Where Are Subtropical Zones Located?

Between Tropics and Temperate Belts

Subtropical regions lie roughly between 23.5° and 40° latitude in both hemispheres—poleward of the Tropics of Cancer/Capricorn, equatorward of the temperate zones.

Climate Characteristics

• Summers: Hot to very hot (often >30°C / 86°F).
• Winters: Mild (rarely below freezing; avg >10°C / 50°F).
• Rainfall: Moderate, often year-round; some have dry summers (Mediterranean) or dry winters (monsoon-influenced).

Major Subtropical Areas

• Northern Hemisphere: SE USA (Gulf/Atlantic coasts), N. Mexico, S. Europe (Med), N. Africa (Atlas foothills), Middle East, Himalaya foothills, S. China, S. Japan.
• Southern Hemisphere: Central Chile, SE Australia (NSW coast), N. New Zealand, S. Brazil, Paraguay, N. Argentina, S. Africa (Cape region).

Ecosystems

Rainforests (cloud forests), savannas, woodlands, Mediterranean scrub (chaparral, maquis, fynbos), deserts (fringe). High biodiversity, high human pressure.