The system consisting of the atmosphere (gases), hydrosphere (water), lithosphere (solid rocky part of the Earth), and biosphere (living) that determine the Earth's climate
NOAA/National Weather Service NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction, Climate Prediction Center, Climate Glossary, University Research Court,College Park, Maryland, USA 2004. http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/outreach/glo ssary.shtml, (Wthr - Amer) {862}