Question

At which latitudes do deserts most often occur?

a. The equator (0 degrees).
b. 30 degrees north or south of the equator.
c. 60 degrees north of the equator.
d. 45 degrees south of the equator.
e. 60 degrees south of the equator.

Answer 1

Deserts most often occur at 30 degrees north or south of the equator, generally between 15° and 30° latitude on the lee side of mountain ranges, with very low annual precipitation and extreme temperature fluctuations.

Step-by-step explanation:

Deserts most often occur at 30 degrees north or south of the equator, specifically between 15° and 30° north and south latitude. These regions are situated on the downwind or lee side of mountain ranges, which creates a rain shadow effect after prevailing winds drop their water content on the mountains. This phenomenon is observed in various deserts such as the North American Mojave and Sonoran deserts, as well as in subtropical deserts located in central Australia ("the Outback") and northern Africa. These subtropical deserts are characterized by extremely low annual precipitation, often less than 30 cm (12 inches), and have temperatures that can range from extreme highs above 60 °C (140 °F) during the day to below freezing at night.