Final answer:
Cities surrounded by mountains often suffer from air pollution due to the rain shadow effect, which also results in health issues and reduced visibility.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cities surrounded by mountains often suffer from air pollution which results in health issues and reduced visibility. This issue is exacerbated by the rain shadow effect, where mountains block the passage of precipitation-bearing clouds, leading to arid conditions on the leeward side.
The Rain Shadow Effect
The rain shadow effect occurs when moist air ascends a mountain range and cools, losing most of its moisture as precipitation on the windward side. As the air descends on the leeward side, it warms and dries, creating arid conditions that can contribute to pollution accumulation, as there is less rainfall to wash pollutants out of the air. Cities like Mexico City are prime examples, where air pollution is trapped due to the surrounding mountains and a rain shadow effect that limits precipitation and air circulation.
In addition to causing environmental challenges, these conditions can lead to health problems for citizens, including respiratory issues from poor air quality and implications from lack of water in already impoverished areas. Moreover, the rain shadow effect can result in inadequate access to food and resources for the urban population, leading to a host of socio-economic issues.