subtropikal

Subtropikal is the Indonesian and Malay term for subtropical, describing climate zones and regions that lie between the tropical and temperate zones. In climatology, subtropical refers to climates with hot summers and mild winters, where frost is uncommon and winter temperatures generally stay above freezing in many areas. Subtropical zones are often categorized into humid subtropical and dry subtropical subtypes, reflecting differences in rainfall patterns and seasonality.

Geographically, subtropical regions lie roughly between about 20 to 40 degrees of latitude in both hemispheres, though the boundary with temperate zones is gradual and definitions vary. In the Northern Hemisphere, subtropical areas include parts of the southeastern United States, coastal southeastern China and nearby regions, and parts of eastern Asia. In the Southern Hemisphere, subtropical climates appear in parts of eastern Australia, coastal areas of Argentina and southern Brazil, and portions of southern Africa and the Mediterranean fringe. Local climate can shift between humid and dry patterns depending on prevailing winds, ocean currents, and continental geography.

Ecology and agriculture in subtropical zones are diverse. The climate supports crops such as citrus fruits, olives, and grapes, as well as tea in certain highland areas. Vegetation ranges from evergreen forests to scrublands adapted to seasonal rainfall and occasional drought. Subtropikal climates often host ecosystems with relatively high biodiversity compared with the tropics, while experiencing more pronounced seasonal temperature contrasts than tropical regions.

Etymology and usage: subtropikal derives from the Latin subtropicus and is used in Indonesian and Malay; in English and other languages, the corresponding term is subtropical.