Which two factors are significant in influencing climate?

Latitude and altitude are indeed two key factors that significantly influence climate.

Latitude refers to the distance of a location from the equator, which affects solar energy received. Regions near the equator experience warmer temperatures year-round due to direct sunlight, while areas closer to the poles receive less solar energy, leading to cooler climates. This variation in solar heating is fundamental in determining climate zones, such as tropical, temperate, and polar climates.

Altitude, or elevation, also plays a crucial role in climate. As altitude increases, the atmosphere becomes thinner, and temperatures generally decrease. This is why mountainous regions can have much cooler climates compared to nearby lowlands even at similar latitudes. The combination of latitude and altitude can create diverse climates, impacting vegetation, animal life, and human activities in those areas.

Both latitude and altitude together help explain the differences in temperature and precipitation around the world, making them essential in the study of climatic patterns.