Why Are Tropical Regions Hotter Than Equatorial Regions?

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The answer to this question lies in the difference between the heat of dry air and moist air. Sunlight falling on the Equator generates rising air currents that help in the formation of clouds over equatorial regions, which then cause rains and thunderstorms. This is why the areas lying on the Equator experience lower temperatures, and are not the hottest on the planet (contrary to what you might assume about the equatorial regions).

Everyone knows that the imaginary line drawn in the middle of the Earth that divides the latter in two equal parts is called the Equator. Due to the spherical structure and slight tilt of Earth on its axis, the Equator receives the highest concentration of sunlight, while the poles get the least sunlight (and are therefore extremely cold) throughout the year. The following picture should help you visualize this better:

sun rays falling on the equator

Since the Equator receives the most sunlight throughout the year, it’s fair to presume that equatorial regions should also be the hottest. Interestingly enough, however, that’s not the case.

The hottest parts of the world do not lie ‘on’ the Equator (as our assumption would suggest), but rather around the tropics, i.e., the areas that lie above and below the Equator. What’s the reason behind this?

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