Final answer:
Desert regions, specifically those classified as Type B climates, demonstrate the greatest annual temperature ranges. They are characterized by extreme temperature variations with hot days and cool nights due to low humidity and lack of precipitation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which regions experience the greatest annual temperature ranges. An annual temperature range is the difference between the highest and lowest temperatures experienced in a region throughout a given year. This range is typically most pronounced in areas with a continental climate and those that are located far from the moderating effects of large bodies of water, such as oceans and seas.
Desert regions, specifically those classified as Type B climates, are known for extreme temperature variations. Due to their low humidity and lack of precipitation, deserts experience intensely hot days and significantly cooler nights. These conditions lead to a substantial difference between the daytime maximum and nocturnal minimum temperatures, creating significant diurnal temperature variations. The classic examples of this type of climate are found in subtropical deserts such as the Sahara in Africa or the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts in North America, which can see temperatures soar above 60°C (140°F) during the day and then plummet to near-freezing at night.
While mountainous areas, coastal regions, and equatorial regions do experience temperature variations, these are not as extreme as those found in desert climates. Mountain areas, although showing a decrease in temperature with elevation, have more moderate diurnal and annual temperature ranges. Coastal regions are influenced by the ocean, which serves to even out temperature extremes over the year. Equatorial regions maintain a relatively constant temperature year-round and have the least variation in temperature due to their position near the Earth's equator.
Therefore, to the question 'The greatest annual temperature ranges are characteristic of places like', the answer is (d) Desert regions.