The climate of the United States<span> varies due to differences in latitude, and a range of geographic features, including mountains and deserts. West of the 100th meridian, much of the US is semi-</span>arid<span> to </span>desert<span> in the far southwestern US, and </span>Mediterranean<span> along the California coast. East of the 100th meridian, the climate is </span>humid continental<span> in the northern areas east through </span>New England<span>, to </span>humid subtropical<span> in the Gulf and South Atlantic regions.</span>
