Question

ap environmental science based on the diagram, which of the following statements best explains why the climate of the west coast of africa is drier than that of the east coast of the united states, even though they are located at similar northern latitudes? responses

Answer 1

The climate of the west coast of Africa is drier than the east coast of the United States due to the rain shadow effect, global precipitation patterns, and regional variations in Africa's climates.

Step-by-step explanation:

The climate of the west coast of Africa is drier than that of the east coast of the United States even though they are located at similar northern latitudes due to several factors:

1. The rain shadow effect: The western United States experiences this effect, where as air rises over the mountains, water vapor condenses, resulting in more precipitation on the windward side of the mountains and less precipitation on the leeward side. This creates arid and semi-arid conditions in the western US.
2. Global precipitation patterns: Precipitation levels tend to be higher near the equator, decreasing towards 30 degrees north and south latitude, where major deserts are located. This is due to global wind circulation cells, with descending air at these latitudes resulting in dry conditions.
3. Regional variations: Africa offers diverse regional climates, each with its own local variations. East Africa, for example, has hot and humid conditions along the coast, but cooler climates in the highlands and mountains. The influence of the eastern desert also contributes to drier climates in certain areas.

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