ABSTRACT
Climate can be considered as the result of the functioning in the hydrosphere and atmosphere of a complex thermodynamic ‘machine’. Uneven heating of the earth’s crust and oceans via solar radiation gives rise to temperature gradients on all areas of the planet, depending upon location and natural conditions. The uneven heating of the atmosphere contributes to the generation of convective movements and horizontal gradients producing the winds, the displacement of air masses and the atmospheric circulation.
