Question map
What is the reason for the major hot deserts of the world lying in the western part of the tropical latitude?
Explanation
The major hot deserts of the world, such as the Sahara, Arabian, and Great Australian deserts, are primarily located on the western coasts of continents between 15° and 30° North and South latitudes [c1][c4]. This distribution is largely attributed to the influence of the Trade Winds. In these tropical latitudes, the prevailing Trade Winds blow from east to west (off-shore) on the western margins of continents [c4][c5]. Because these winds originate over land or lose their moisture on the eastern side of the continent, they are dry by the time they reach the western coast, inhibiting precipitation [c5][t2]. Additionally, these regions are influenced by the subtropical high-pressure belt where stable, descending air prevents convection [c1][c3]. The presence of cold ocean currents along these western coasts further enhances aridity by creating a desiccating effect and stabilizing the atmosphere [c2][t3].
Sources
- [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 30: Climatic Regions > Hot Desert Climate (BWh: B – Dry, W – Desert, h – low latitude) > p. 441
- [2] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 32: Ocean Movements Ocean Currents And Tides > Desert Formation > p. 496
- [3] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > Hot Desert Biome > p. 15
- [4] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 18: The Hot Desert and Mid-Latitude Desert Climate > Distribution > p. 173
- [5] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 7: Arid or Desert Landforms > Types of Desert > p. 67