How do latitude and altitude influence climate?

The choice highlighting that both latitude and altitude affect temperature, precipitation, and sunlight intensity accurately represents the relationship between these geographic factors and climate.

Latitude refers to the distance of a location from the equator, and it plays a crucial role in determining climate patterns. As one moves away from the equator towards the poles, the angle at which sunlight hits the Earth changes, affecting the amount of solar energy received. This results in variations in temperature; regions closer to the equator tend to be warmer and have more consistent weather patterns, while those nearer to the poles experience colder temperatures and more seasonal variability.

Altitude, or elevation above sea level, also significantly impacts climate. As altitude increases, temperature generally decreases, which is why mountainous regions can be cooler even if they are located at lower latitudes. Furthermore, higher altitudes often experience different precipitation patterns due to orographic lift, where moist air ascends and cools, leading to cloud formation and precipitation.

Both latitude and altitude combined can greatly influence climate characteristics, such as local weather conditions, types of vegetation, and ecosystem diversity, making the statement that both factors influence temperature, precipitation, and sunlight intensity fundamentally accurate.