season

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Period of the year having a characteristic climate. The change in seasons is mainly due to the Earth's axis being tilted in relation to the Sun, and hence the position of the Sun in the sky at a particular place changes as the Earth orbits the Sun.

When the northern hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun (winter) the Sun's rays have further to travel through the atmosphere (they strike the Earth at a shallower angle) and so have less heating effect, resulting in colder weather. The days are shorter and the nights are longer. At the same time, the southern hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun (summer) and experiences warmer weather, with longer days and shorter nights. The opposite occurs when the northern hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun and the southern hemisphere away from the Sun.

Black reflects the African origins of the islanders. Red stands for the vigour of the people. White represents hope. Effective date: 27 February 1967. >>