This region exposed to the on-shore westerly winds, have an insular climate, with cool summer, mild winters, and rain throughout the year, especially in autumn and winter. British Columbia, North-West Europe, Southern Chile, Tasmania, and most of New Zealand lie within this region.
As these winds blow from warm oceans towards the coast, winters are warmer and annual rainfall is higher than in the cool East Margin region. Rainfall is of cyclonic origin and occurs throughout the year with a maximum in winter. Deciduous forests is the natural vegetation of this region. Coniferous forest is found on the hill slopes. Much of the original forests have been cleared for human settlements in north-western Europe. Other areas are coast lands of British Columbia in Canada, Southern Chile in South America and South Island of New Zealand.
North-west Europe has been settled by man for several centuries and the resources have been developed fully. Intensive agriculture is common and high yields are obtained. Mixed farming, which involves both agriculture and rearing of animals, is quite common. As the area is highly urbanized, market gardening is also widespread to satisfy the demand for vegetables, flowers etc.
Mineral resources have been utilized extensively to provide power and raw material for industries. Industries have also been set up utilizing imported raw materials like cotton. Fishing has developed on a commercial scale, as the shallow continental shelf is extensive in area.
Summers in these regions are cool and temperature range from 62° to 67°F. Hot weather is rarely found, but when it becomes extremely warm the temperatures may reach up to 90°F and above. Winters are mild and not harsh. January averages are about 40°F. Warm ocean drifts, bringing tropical heat from the equatorial waters, are responsible for the mildness of the temperatures prevailing in these regions. The length of growing season is about 150 days near the poleward margins but the equatorward margins have 300 days.
Precipitation occurs during all the seasons but maximum of it takes place during winter. Windward slopes of the coastal area get a rainfall between 80 to 100 inches but the leeward locations get only 30 to 40 inches precipitation With increasing latitudes the snowfall becomes heavy. Cloudy weather dominates these regions and foggy days are common particularly towards the coasts.
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