Definition of tropical

[amazondk]

Keith,

There are various definitions of tropical. But, from a strictly geographical perspecitve it has to do with latitude not altitude. And, that does not have anything to do with climate. Now if you are talking about climate than it is a different subject and has to do with temperature and even percipation possibly.

And, the only constant in life is change. Especially when talking about climate.

dk

I did mean climate wise, but there are definitely 2 completely different ways to talk about tropics. I tend to think that it's better to talk about it climate wise.

To look at it that way, I would think a very simple way to think of someplace as being "tropical", in the traditionally thought of sense of what "tropical" means to the average Joe----

Could one plan a trip there, with intents of spending time at the beach, without regard to looking at a calendar?

Larry,

How about if you can walk out your front door any day or night of the year and never need a jacket, sweater, or coat of any kind? I have a real problem now when going most places as I do not have hardly any clothes for even cooler weather any more. When I was standing in the open jet way in Great Falls, Montana a few weeks ago waiting to board the flight at 15 F below zero with only a light sport coat on I thought I was going to freeze stiff. It was only about 3 or 4 minutes, but it seemed forever until I got in the plane. It was so cold it stung my body and I could feel the cold in my bones.

dk

[spockvr6]

Larry,

How about if you can walk out your front door any day or night of the year and never need a jacket, sweater, or coat of any kind?

That would probably work too

[ariscott]

I don't think just one classification will determine tropics. Michael is right, there are different type of tropicals. I grew up in equatorial tropics, now I live in monsoonal tropics. Cairns is wet tropics. Unfortunately, even though other places might be hot and humid, I don't think they can be classified as the tropics.

[aussiearoids]

Don , yes , you have finally 'gone troppo' thats when you have no warm clothes [ie woollen jumper , overcoat etc'

you start feeling a chill when it gets close to 20 c and whine and moan when it falls into the teens .

I foolishly went down to Melbourne in cold temperate Victoria several years ago ..in JULY [ I know how stupid ]

And I could not feel my fingers for 3 days . Never again ! They say your blood thickens up [ doubt that ]

It takes a while to get used to the tropics , but it can be done .. one of my favourite quotes is in an old palm book , and goes something like this ... " man was meant to dwell in the tropics , and feast on the fruit of palms , Linnaeus ??

gos on then saying he is forced to live elsewhere and eat flesh ....

[amazondk]

Michael,

I love the people with the I love the 4 seasons philosophy. I do not miss having 4 seasons. I would rather live where it is hot and go visit the seasons when I want.

I do not miss scenes like this. But, for a few days they are ok. That is if you dress for the occaision.

10th Avenue South, Great Falls, Montana December 11, 2009. The temperature was a warm 09 F.

dk