The planet's equator experiences warm weather throughout the year. This is because the Sun shines almost directly at the equator during all seasons. 

In the temperate zone, such as in Northern Europe, the Sun's light arrives on the ground in a slight angle. This means that the same amount of sunlight has to cover a larger surface area. The result is a cooler, more temperate climate. 

Because the heat provided by the Sun decreases when moving from the equator toward's the planet's two poles, the planet can be divided into four geographical zones.