What zone lies between the Tropics and the Arctic and Antarctic Circles?

• A. Tropical Rainforest
• B. Desert
• C. Temperate Zone
• D. Mediterranean (Western Coast)

Answer: (C)

Think about how Earth is divided into latitudinal zones: tropical near the equator, then temperate in the mid-latitudes, then polar toward the poles. The Tropics lie roughly between 23.5°N and 23.5°S. Between those Tropics and the Arctic and Antarctic Circles lies the temperate zone in both hemispheres, a belt known for its seasonal changes and moderate temperatures. That broad zone includes a wide range of climates and regions, not just one specific type. The other options describe particular climates that occur within parts of that broad band (deserts and tropical rainforests are tied to the tropics, while the Mediterranean is a climate pattern found within the temperate zone).