Identify the climate zone with deserts and very low rainfall.

• A. Dry
• B. Tropical
• C. Temperate
• D. Boreal/Polar

Answer: (A)

Desert landscapes come from a dry climate, where rainfall is very scarce. In these zones, the amount of precipitation is so low that it can’t meet the moisture losses from evaporation and plant use most of the year, leading to arid land with little vegetation. Dry climates occur in several settings: around the subtropical highs near 20–30° latitude, in rain-shadowed regions, and in continental interiors far from oceanic moisture. Deserts can be hot or cold, but the defining feature is the very low rainfall. In contrast, tropical climates have abundant rainfall, temperate climates have moderate rainfall with seasonal variation, and boreal/polar climates are characterized mainly by cold conditions with low, but differently distributed, precipitation.