# Köppen–Geiger Zones

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Here the available via the API climatic variables are presented and described. The detailed reference for the API can be found [here](https://docs.answr.space/api-reference/climatic-variables).
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## Climate Classification

The varying climatic conditions can be clustered or better classified into different categories based on the the long term meteorological conditions that are present. Many different classification approaches exist, but the **Köppen–Geiger climate classification system** is the system most widely used.

The classification system originated by the German-Russian climatologist [Wladimir Köppen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wladimir_K%C3%B6ppen) (1846–1940) in 1884. Köppen altered the system several time, with notable changes in 1918 and 1936. A few years later, the climatologist [Rudolf Geiger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Geiger) (1894–1981) introduced some changes to the classification system. The result is the current **Köppen–Geiger climate classification system**.

*Köppen climate classification schema symbols description table*

| Symbol | Climate Main Class |    Climate Class   | Climate Sub-Class |
| :----: | :----------------: | :----------------: | :---------------: |
|   Af   |      Tropical      |     Rainforest     |        N/A        |
|   Aw   |      Tropical      |      Savannah      |        N/A        |
|   Am   |      Tropical      |       Monsoon      |        N/A        |
|   BWh  |        Arid        |       Desert       |        Hot        |
|   BWk  |        Arid        |       Desert       |        Cold       |
|   BSh  |        Arid        |       Steppe       |        Hot        |
|   BSk  |        Arid        |       Steppe       |        Cold       |
|   Csa  |      Temperate     |     Dry summer     |     Hot summer    |
|   Csb  |      Temperate     |     Dry summer     |    Warm summer    |
|   Csc  |      Temperate     |     Dry summer     |    Cold summer    |
|   Cwa  |      Temperate     |     Dry winter     |     Hot summer    |
|   Cwb  |      Temperate     |     Dry winter     |    Warm summer    |
|   Cwc  |      Temperate     |     Dry winter     |    Cold summer    |
|   Cfa  |      Temperate     | Without dry season |     Hot summer    |
|   Cfb  |      Temperate     | Without dry season |    Warm summer    |
|   Cfc  |      Temperate     | Without dry season |    Cold summer    |
|   Dsa  |       Boreal       |     Dry summer     |     Hot summer    |
|   Dsb  |       Boreal       |     Dry summer     |    Warm summer    |
|   Dsc  |       Boreal       |     Dry summer     |    Cold summer    |
|   Dsd  |       Boreal       |     Dry summer     |  Very cold winter |
|   Dwa  |       Boreal       |     Dry winter     |     Hot summer    |
|   Dwb  |       Boreal       |     Dry winter     |    Warm summer    |
|   Dwc  |       Boreal       |     Dry winter     |    Cold summer    |
|   Dwd  |       Boreal       |     Dry winter     |  Very cold winter |
|   Dfa  |       Boreal       | Without dry season |     Hot summer    |
|   Dfb  |       Boreal       | Without dry season |    Warm summer    |
|   Dfc  |       Boreal       | Without dry season |    Cold summer    |
|   Dfd  |       Boreal       | Without dry season |  Very cold winter |
|   ET   |        Polar       |       Tundra       |        N/A        |
|   EF   |        Polar       |        Frost       |        N/A        |

\*N/A = Not Applicable

## Available Data

We have processed and integrated climatic datasets (current and future predictions) to generate different climate zones. The future predictions are based on different Representative Concentration Pathways (*RCPs*).

* Current climate classes
* Future (2030s) climate classes with RCP 2.6, 
* Future (2030s) climate classes with RCP 4.5
* Future (2030s) climate classes with RCP 6.0
* Future (2030s) climate classes with RCP 8.5

<figure><img src="https://2993576723-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FaeFFaXxEeZmdbsofIXux%2Fuploads%2F0HLBBafH9EE3t3kvmy1k%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=34181ac0-24eb-4223-a5df-87f7c5a80b49" alt=""><figcaption><p>Example Current Climatic Zones</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://2993576723-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FaeFFaXxEeZmdbsofIXux%2Fuploads%2F2GQwtcrXnycjtI7pfxls%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d67e744d-4888-49b9-bfcb-6298971aea29" alt=""><figcaption><p>Example Climate Zones for RCP2.6</p></figcaption></figure>

Initial source of information has been taken from the following publication: Cui, D., Liang, S., Wang, D., and Liu, Z.: A 1-km global dataset of historical (1979–2017) and future (2020–2100) Köppen-Geiger climate classification and bioclimatic variables, Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss. \[preprint], <https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2021-53>, 2021.<br>