by Nayab Naseer

Created on: March 14, 2009

Weather is the state of the air at a particular place and time - warm or cold, wet or dry, cloudy or windy or the likes. Climate is the normal pattern of weather experienced in a particular area over a long period.

The weather and climate of a place has always affected populations. Throughout history, humanity has always been in awe of the weather, and weather still plays a big part in our lives today. It affects many of the things that we do, from the clothes we wear and the food we eat, to where we live and how we travel.

INFLUENCE ON HUMAN MIGRATIONS AND GROWTH OF CIVILIZATIONS

Since the dawn of history human settlements, migrations and growth has depended on weather conditions. All the great civilizations and empires have flourished near rivers and oceans, where the weather is moderate and suitable for the cultivation of crops and domestication of animals.

Just to cite some instances from history, it is the pleasant climate of England that attracted the various invaders of the past like Normans, Danes and others to settle down, and gradually over the years assimilate to form what is now the English population. The harsh climate of the Arabian deserts have prevented the interiors of the land from being invaded by an external force in the annals of history, and moreover was an added incentive for the Arabs to burst out from that hot and barren land to establish one of the largest empires during the medieval period. The Arabs landed in Spain initially on an expedition, and attracted by the weather, stayed and ruled there for 800 years! Many once thriving cities are now abandoned ghost towns primarily because the weather changed and people could no longer continue with their lives there. A big tsunami in the Indian Ocean in 1341 CE wrecked havoc of most of the well-established ports and led to the formation of new natural harbors in places like Cochin and Karachi, which soon developed into big cities.

INFLUENCE ON THE WAY OF LIFE

Weather has an impact on the physical and mental make up of the populace as well. The culture, the way of life, the dietary habits, the clothing trends, the behavior of people coming from places where the weather in harsh differs significantly from that of people who live under docile climates. It is possible to stereotype the populace of cities and even nations based on weather related factors.

EFFECT ON MENTAL HEALTH AND MOODS

Weather also has a profound effect on human health and well-being. The hypothalamus in the human brain controls

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