In which of the following regions of the world, the production of citrus fruits is well developed ?

Question

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Correct — C, Mediterranean regions. Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, mandarins) are the signature crop of the Mediterranean climate — hot, dry, sunny summers and mild, wet, frost-free winters. That regime is ideal for citrus: winter rain supplies moisture, the dry warm summer concentrates sugars and limits fungal disease, and the mild winters avoid killing frosts. The world's great citrus belts — Spain, Italy, Greece, the Levant, California, central Chile, South Africa's Cape and parts of Australia — all lie in Mediterranean-type climates, so citrus production is 'well developed' there.

Why the other options are wrong — (a) Monsoon climates have a heavy, humid summer wet season; the high humidity and downpours promote fungal disease in citrus, so this is not the classic well-developed citrus belt (some citrus is grown, but production is not concentrated here).  (b) Tropical highlands are cooled by altitude and specialise in crops like coffee and tea; they are not the world's principal citrus-producing regions.  (d) The hot, wet, humid-all-year equatorial climate favours rainforest crops and encourages pests and diseases; citrus is not well developed there because it needs a dry summer and a cooler winter.

Concept: The Mediterranean climate (Koppen 'Cs') occurs on the west coasts of continents in the 30-45 degree latitude belt — the Mediterranean basin, California, central Chile, the Cape of South Africa and south/south-west Australia. Its hallmark is a dry warm summer and a mild wet winter, giving it a distinctive 'orchard-and-vine' agriculture: citrus, olives, grapes (viticulture) and figs are its trademark commercial crops.

State PCS 2020 Q72 — Geography PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2020 Q72 — Geography PYQ with Answer