Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

Cody Beauford

Abidjan is in Cote d'Ivoire in Northern Africa. Abidjan is on the Ivory Coast and is a major city. The climate of Abidjan is affected by ocean currents, wind patterns, latitudes, and landforms.

Abidjan is influenced by ocean currents and wind patterns, because of its coastal location next to the Atlantic Ocean. The Guinea Current is a warm current that runs off the coast and keeps the temperature warm. Abidjan is also affected by warm winds called the Northeasterly Trade Winds.

The Ivory Coast is in the low latitudes very close to the Equator, so that also means that it is hot the whole year. The latitude is about 5 degrees north. The reason that this makes it warm is because the Equator gets direct sunlight almost all year.

The elevation of Abidjan is only 22 feet above sea level which means that the cool thin air that is found on mountains has no affect on the city. This is another factor that causes Abidjan and the Ivory Coast to be warm throughout the year.

The main landform that affects Abidjan is the ocean. There are no mountains that are close enough to the coast to cause a rain shadow and make it have large amounts of precipitation. Being on the coast, near the water, moderates the temperature changes. Unlike inland areas which heat and cool rapidly, the water adjacent to Abidjan absorbs heat energy and releases it slowly.

Because of all these factors Abidjan has a very warm and stable climate. The water off the coast is warm and so are the winds. Altitude is not a factor because it is on the coast and almost at sea level. By far, the most significant factor is the latitude, which ensures hot weather throughout the year.