Final answer:
Botswana experiences most of its rainfall during the summer months due to the southward shift of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, which brings increased moisture to the region. Option 1) Summer is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Botswana, located in Southern Africa, experiences a range of climate zones due to its position along the Tropic of Capricorn. The region's climate is influenced significantly by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), which brings about seasonal changes in weather patterns. When considering the climatic conditions of Botswana, it is crucial to take into account its large desert area, the Kalahari Desert, as well as the moderate climates that exist further south of the Tropic of Capricorn.
The Tropic of Capricorn plays a key role in determining the seasonal variations in sunlight which, in turn, influence the weather patterns in the Southern Hemisphere. During the months of December and January, the Southern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, leading to warmer temperatures and summer in this part of the world. It is during this summer season that the ITCZ migrates southwards, bringing with it increased moisture and the potential for rainfall.
The phenomenon of the ITCZ is similar to what happens with the monsoon season in South Asia, where the heating of the landmass draws in moisture-laden air. For Botswana, the increased sunlight and accompanying shift in the ITCZ during the southern hemisphere's summer result in the majority of its rainfall. By contrast, the winter months, specifically June and July, experience much cooler temperatures and substantially less rainfall, highlighting a distinct wet and dry season dynamic.
Based on this understanding of Botswana's climatic patterns and the influence of the ITCZ, we can determine that Botswana experiences most of its rainfall during its summer months. Therefore, the correct option to the question "Botswana, straddling Tropic of Capricorn, experiences most rainfall during ________ due to influence of ITCZ?" is: 1) Summer