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Chapter 8 lifE in tEmPErAtE rEGiOnS

Grasslands are defined as places where grasses predominate over trees and shrubs. There are
two major kinds of grasslands in the world, Savannas and Temperate grasslands. Savannas
are defined as places where individual shrubs and trees are scattered among the grasses.
In temperate grasslands, trees and shrubs are completely absent or rare. Prairies have
long grasses and steppes have short grasses but both are temperate grasslands. Temperate
regions extend in the mid – latitudes between 40° to 55° in both the Northern and Southern

Hemispheres.
thE prairiEs

These are located in Canada and the USA, lying between the foothills of Rocky Mountains

in the west and the Great Lakes and Appalachian Highlands in the east. The region is
generally flat with certain portions having undulating terrain, rising towards the west and
south. In USA, the area is drained by rivers Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio and Dakota and in
Canada, it is drained by the river Saskatchewan and its tributaries.

Prairies in North America A scene of snow cover
climatE
The region, being located in the middle of the continent, experience continental type of

climate. It experiences warm summers with temperature lowering around 20°C and cold
winters with temperature as low as― 20°C. In winters, the thick blanket of snow covers
this region. It receives moderate amount of rainfall that provides best
condition for the growth of grass. The climate of the region is affected
by the local wind called ‘Chinook’. It is a hot wind which blows in
winter season. Due to the impact of Chinook, the temperature of
prairies rises in a short time. It results into the melting of snow and
making pasture land available for grazing of animals. A scene of snow cover

46 Social Studies-7