Read the information below to find out some important facts about global wind systems.

• Warm air rises at the equator because it is a low pressure area.
• Cold air sinks at the poles because they are high pressure areas.
• There are also low pressure areas with sinking air located at about 30 and 60 degrees latitude, north and south.

The earth is divided into three wind circulation systems in the Northern Hemisphere and three in the Southern Hemisphere. These divisions are based upon the locations of where air rises and sinks. These global wind systems are:

• Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

  Tropical Easterlies (also called Trade Winds)

  The dense air that sinks at 30 degrees will flow back towards the equator and produces what is known as the tropical easterlies or trade winds. The trade winds obtained their name from the sailing ships that transported goods between Europe and the New World; these winds helped to propel the ships toward the Americas.
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  Prevailing Westerlies (also called Westerlies)

  The Prevailing Westerlies are located between 30 and 60 degrees latitude. In this zone, the winds blow toward the poles from the west. Prevailing westerlies in the Northern Hemisphere are responsible for many of the weather movements across the United States and Canada.
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  Polar Easterlies

  The Polar Easterlies blow from the northeast to the southwest and is located between 60 degrees latitude and the poles. The Polar Easterlies move cold, polar air from an area of high pressure southward. Polar fronts are storms that move cold air from the east.

Check what you have learned about global wind systems by matching the global wind belt with the correct location on the map.