All Courses
Explore Courses UPSC Exam UPSC Test Series Free Notes EduRev Infinity Get the App Login Join for Free
Sign in Open App
Humanities/Arts Exam  >  Humanities/Arts Questions  >  Why most of the hot deserts of the world lie ... Start Learning for Free
Why most of the hot deserts of the world lie on the western margins of the continents?
Clear all your Humanities/Arts doubts with EduRev
Most Upvoted Answer
Why most of the hot deserts of the world lie on the western margins of...
Tropical deserts are located between 10deg to 30deg north and south of the equator on the western margin of the continents, for example, Atacama Desert in South America. Californian desert in North America, Namib and Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa, Sahara and West Australian desert.

The deserts lie in the belt of the trade winds which blow from northeast in the northern hemisphere and southeast in the southern hemisphere. Therefore, the general direction of the trade winds is from the east to west. These winds shed their moisture on the eastern margins of the continents and by the time they reach the west they have lost their moisture.

These deserts fall on the leeward side of the mountains and hence, get less rainfall.

It is also an area of descending air; therefore, the air gets compressed and becomes warm, so the moisture-holding capacity of the air increases.

The tropical deserts have cold currents flowing on the coast therefore there is less rainfall.
Community Answer
Why most of the hot deserts of the world lie on the western margins of...
Geographical Overview
Hot deserts predominantly locate on the western margins of continents. This phenomenon results from a combination of climatic and geographical factors.
Subtropical High-Pressure Systems
- Western coasts are influenced by subtropical high-pressure systems, which create stable and dry conditions.
- These systems inhibit cloud formation and precipitation, leading to arid climates.
Cold Ocean Currents
- The presence of cold ocean currents along western coastlines contributes to lower humidity.
- These currents cool the air above them, reducing its capacity to hold moisture and leading to drier conditions on land.
Rain Shadow Effect
- Mountain ranges, often located inland from western coasts, trap moist air moving inland.
- As air rises over mountains, it cools and loses moisture as rain, leaving the leeward side dry and contributing to desert formation.
Trade Winds and Coriolis Effect
- Trade winds blow from east to west in the tropics, driving moisture-laden air towards the continents.
- The Coriolis effect can deflect these winds, enhancing the dry conditions on the western sides of continents.
Conclusion
In summary, the hot deserts' locations on the western margins of continents are influenced by high-pressure systems, cold ocean currents, the rain shadow effect, and wind patterns. These factors work together to create the arid environments characteristic of hot deserts. Understanding these dynamics helps explain the geographical distribution of deserts worldwide.
Explore Courses for Humanities/Arts exam

Similar Humanities/Arts Doubts

Direction: Read the case study given below and answer any three of the questions that follow.Different places on the earth’s surface receive different amounts of rainfall in a year and that too in different seasons. In general, as we proceed from the Equator towards the Poles, rainfall goes on decreasing steadily. The coastal areas of the world receive greater amounts of rainfall than the interior of the continents. The rainfall is more over the oceans than on the land masses of the world because of being great sources of water. Between the latitudes 350 and 400 N and S of the Equator, the rain is heavier on the eastern coasts and goes on decreasing towards the West. But, between 450 and 650 N and S of Equator, due to the westerlies, the rainfall is first received on the western margins of the continents and it goes on decreasing towards the East. Wherever mountains run parallel to the coast, the rain is greater on the coastal plain, on the windward side and it decreases towards the leeward side. On the basis of the total amount of annual precipitation, major precipitation regimes of the world are identified as follows: The equatorial belt, the windward slopes of the mountains along the western coasts in the cool temperate zone and the coastal areas of the monsoon land receive heavy rainfall of over 200 cm per annum. Interior continental areas receive moderate rainfall varying from 100 - 200 cm per annum. The coastal areas of the continents receive moderate amount of rainfall. The central parts of the tropical land and the eastern and interior parts of the temperate lands receive rainfall varying between 50 – 100 cm per annum. Areas lying in the rain shadow zone of the interior of the continents and high latitudes receive very low rainfall-less than 50 cm per annum. Seasonal distribution of rainfall provides an important aspect to judge its effectiveness. In some regions rainfall is distributed evenly throughout the year such as in the equatorial belt and in the western parts of cool temperate regions.Q. In _________, the windward slopes of the mountains along the western coasts in the cool temperate zone and the coastal areas of the monsoon land receive heavy rainfall.

Direction: Read the case study given below and answer any three of the questions that follow.Different places on the earth’s surface receive different amounts of rainfall in a year and that too in different seasons. In general, as we proceed from the Equator towards the Poles, rainfall goes on decreasing steadily. The coastal areas of the world receive greater amounts of rainfall than the interior of the continents. The rainfall is more over the oceans than on the land masses of the world because of being great sources of water. Between the latitudes 350 and 400 N and S of the Equator, the rain is heavier on the eastern coasts and goes on decreasing towards the West. But, between 450 and 650 N and S of Equator, due to the westerlies, the rainfall is first received on the western margins of the continents and it goes on decreasing towards the East. Wherever mountains run parallel to the coast, the rain is greater on the coastal plain, on the windward side and it decreases towards the leeward side. On the basis of the total amount of annual precipitation, major precipitation regimes of the world are identified as follows: The equatorial belt, the windward slopes of the mountains along the western coasts in the cool temperate zone and the coastal areas of the monsoon land receive heavy rainfall of over 200 cm per annum. Interior continental areas receive moderate rainfall varying from 100 - 200 cm per annum. The coastal areas of the continents receive moderate amount of rainfall. The central parts of the tropical land and the eastern and interior parts of the temperate lands receive rainfall varying between 50 – 100 cm per annum. Areas lying in the rain shadow zone of the interior of the continents and high latitudes receive very low rainfall-less than 50 cm per annum. Seasonal distribution of rainfall provides an important aspect to judge its effectiveness. In some regions rainfall is distributed evenly throughout the year such as in the equatorial belt and in the western parts of cool temperate regions.Q. Between the latitudes 350 and 400 N and S of the Equator, the rain is heavier on the ________ coasts.

Direction: Read the case study given below and answer any three of the questions that follow.Different places on the earth’s surface receive different amounts of rainfall in a year and that too in different seasons. In general, as we proceed from the Equator towards the Poles, rainfall goes on decreasing steadily. The coastal areas of the world receive greater amounts of rainfall than the interior of the continents. The rainfall is more over the oceans than on the land masses of the world because of being great sources of water. Between the latitudes 350 and 400 N and S of the Equator, the rain is heavier on the eastern coasts and goes on decreasing towards the West. But, between 450 and 650 N and S of Equator, due to the westerlies, the rainfall is first received on the western margins of the continents and it goes on decreasing towards the East. Wherever mountains run parallel to the coast, the rain is greater on the coastal plain, on the windward side and it decreases towards the leeward side. On the basis of the total amount of annual precipitation, major precipitation regimes of the world are identified as follows: The equatorial belt, the windward slopes of the mountains along the western coasts in the cool temperate zone and the coastal areas of the monsoon land receive heavy rainfall of over 200 cm per annum. Interior continental areas receive moderate rainfall varying from 100 - 200 cm per annum. The coastal areas of the continents receive moderate amount of rainfall. The central parts of the tropical land and the eastern and interior parts of the temperate lands receive rainfall varying between 50 – 100 cm per annum. Areas lying in the rain shadow zone of the interior of the continents and high latitudes receive very low rainfall-less than 50 cm per annum. Seasonal distribution of rainfall provides an important aspect to judge its effectiveness. In some regions rainfall is distributed evenly throughout the year such as in the equatorial belt and in the western parts of cool temperate regions.Q. The central parts of the tropical land and the eastern and interior parts of the temperate lands receive rainfall varying between

Direction: Read the case study given below and answer any three of the questions that follow.Different places on the earth’s surface receive different amounts of rainfall in a year and that too in different seasons. In general, as we proceed from the Equator towards the Poles, rainfall goes on decreasing steadily. The coastal areas of the world receive greater amounts of rainfall than the interior of the continents. The rainfall is more over the oceans than on the land masses of the world because of being great sources of water. Between the latitudes 350 and 400 N and S of the Equator, the rain is heavier on the eastern coasts and goes on decreasing towards the West. But, between 450 and 650 N and S of Equator, due to the westerlies, the rainfall is first received on the western margins of the continents and it goes on decreasing towards the East. Wherever mountains run parallel to the coast, the rain is greater on the coastal plain, on the windward side and it decreases towards the leeward side. On the basis of the total amount of annual precipitation, major precipitation regimes of the world are identified as follows: The equatorial belt, the windward slopes of the mountains along the western coasts in the cool temperate zone and the coastal areas of the monsoon land receive heavy rainfall of over 200 cm per annum. Interior continental areas receive moderate rainfall varying from 100 - 200 cm per annum. The coastal areas of the continents receive moderate amount of rainfall. The central parts of the tropical land and the eastern and interior parts of the temperate lands receive rainfall varying between 50 – 100 cm per annum. Areas lying in the rain shadow zone of the interior of the continents and high latitudes receive very low rainfall-less than 50 cm per annum. Seasonal distribution of rainfall provides an important aspect to judge its effectiveness. In some regions rainfall is distributed evenly throughout the year such as in the equatorial belt and in the western parts of cool temperate regions.Q. In general, as we proceed from the equator towards the poles, rainfall goes on ______ steadily.

Top Courses for Humanities/ArtsView all

Top Courses for Humanities/Arts

Why most of the hot deserts of the world lie on the western margins of the continents?
Question Description
Why most of the hot deserts of the world lie on the western margins of the continents? for Humanities/Arts 2025 is part of Humanities/Arts preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the Humanities/Arts exam syllabus. Information about Why most of the hot deserts of the world lie on the western margins of the continents? covers all topics & solutions for Humanities/Arts 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Why most of the hot deserts of the world lie on the western margins of the continents?.
Solutions for Why most of the hot deserts of the world lie on the western margins of the continents? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for Humanities/Arts. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for Humanities/Arts Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Why most of the hot deserts of the world lie on the western margins of the continents? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Why most of the hot deserts of the world lie on the western margins of the continents?, a detailed solution for Why most of the hot deserts of the world lie on the western margins of the continents? has been provided alongside types of Why most of the hot deserts of the world lie on the western margins of the continents? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Why most of the hot deserts of the world lie on the western margins of the continents? tests, examples and also practice Humanities/Arts tests.
Explore Courses for Humanities/Arts exam

Top Courses for Humanities/Arts

Explore Courses
SaveJoin the Discussion on the App for FREE
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev
Get App
© EduRev
Education Revolution
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days!
Access 1000+ FREE Docs, Videos and Tests
Takes less than 10 seconds to signup