* Temperate forests are found across a wide range of longitudes: They exist on all continents except Antarctica, spanning from the west coast of North America across Europe and Asia, and down into South America and Australia.
* Longitude is a measure of east-west position: It doesn't tell us anything about the type of climate or vegetation in a particular area.
Instead of longitude, temperate forests are defined by their:
* Latitude: They generally occur between 30° and 60° North and South latitude.
* Climate: They experience moderate temperatures with distinct seasons, including a period of frost.
* Precipitation: They receive ample rainfall, typically between 750 and 1,500 mm per year.
* Vegetation: Dominated by broad-leaved deciduous trees that lose their leaves in autumn, although some temperate forests contain evergreen conifers.
To understand the distribution of temperate forests, you need to look at maps and consider the combination of these factors.
