Why Do Deserts Occur in Low Latitudes?

Deserts are present in many places in the world. Most deserts appear at a low latitude. Several factors create conditions for deserts to exist at these latitudes.

Definition

A desert is an area that loses more water through evaporation than it gains through precipitation. Some experts define a desert as an area of land that receives less than 10 inches of rain per year. A low-latitude desert has a close proximity to the equator.

Characteristics

Low-latitude deserts are close to the equator where the sun is hotter and warms the sand to a high temperature. The hot sand heats the air and the air rises. This prevents cool, moisture-filled air from lowering and prevents precipitation.

Land Interference

Low-latitude deserts may be close to an ocean or other body of water that has cool currents that create cool air masses. These air masses may run into mountains that lift the cool air over the desert's surface. The altitude of the air mass prevents precipitation.

Deserts in Low Latitudes

Several deserts occur near low latitudes, including the Sahara in Africa, which is the largest desert in the world.

References

• Encyclopedia Britanica: Desert Definition
• Cambridge University: Types of Deserts