Climate in Brazil varies according to the altitude and latitude of each region. Seasons are exactly opposite to those of Europe and the United States, except for in the North of the country.

The average annual temperature is approximately 28°C in the North and and 20°C in the South. There are certain places in the South where temperatures can reach values below zero and include frost and snow. Summer time in Rio de Janeiro records temperatures as high as 40°C.

Due to its vast territorial extension of continental dimensions, Brazil has a diversified climatic topology. Besides its extension, other factors influencing the various Brazilian climates are the temperature conditions, altitude, atmospheric pressure and proximity to the ocean. By its turn, this great climatic diversification brings forth really diversified vegetal landscapes, something that makes Brazil a country holding one of the worlds most complex ecosystems.

The Brazilian territory is divided up into climatic zones: 92% of its territory is located between the equator ant the Tropic of Capricorn. Therefore we can say that the Brazilian climate is typically tropical, although equatorial and sub-tropical zones can also be seen (temperate zones) over the rest of the country. The predominance of low altitudes along the country's territory results in higher temperatures. Predominant average temperatures exceed 20°C.

Brazil is one of the few countries in the world with an equatorial forest (together with Congo,in Africa), which is limited to the equatorial climate. Such climate is predominantly seen over the Amazon Forest region, where average temperatures vary from between 24 to 26°C.

The tropical climate prevails over the Central Plateau region, as well as over other North East and South East Brazilian regions. This climate is characterized by two distinct annual hot seasons, with average temperatures over 20°C.

At higher altitude regions, limited by the Atlantic Plateau in the South East, and even in regions to the South of Mato Grosso do sul and North of Parana, the predominant climate is the so-called altitude tropical climate. Average temperatures range from 18-22°C.

The so-called altitude tropical climate prevails over almost the entire Brazilian coast, extending from Rio Grande do Norte to Rio Grande do Sul. Such climate records average annual temperatures ranging from 18-26°C.

The semi-arid climate covers the territory to the North Eastern midland, from the Sao Fransisco river valley to the North of the state of Minas Gerais. Annual average temperatures are amongst Brazils highest, around 27°C.

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