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How much of the Earth's surface do deserts cover and where do they occur? What are the four major types of desert?

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Final answer:

Deserts cover one-third of Earth's surface and occur in regions where there is low rainfall. The four major types of deserts are hot and dry, semi-arid, coastal, and cold deserts.


Step-by-step explanation:

Deserts cover about one-third of the Earth's surface. They occur in several regions around the world, mainly in areas where there is low rainfall and extreme aridity.

The four major types of deserts are:

  1. Hot and Dry Deserts: These deserts are characterized by high temperatures during the day and cool temperatures at night. Examples include the Sahara Desert in Africa and the Mojave Desert in the United States.
  2. Semi-arid Deserts: These deserts have a mix of desert and grassland characteristics. They receive slightly more rainfall than hot and dry deserts. Examples include the Great Australian Desert and the Kalahari Desert.
  3. Coastal Deserts: These deserts are located along coastal areas, where cold ocean currents produce cool temperatures and low rainfall. Examples include the Atacama Desert in Chile and the Namib Desert in Namibia.
  4. Cold Deserts: These deserts experience extremely cold temperatures, with long, harsh winters. Examples include the Gobi Desert in China and Mongolia, and the Patagonian Desert in Argentina.

Learn more about Deserts

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