The area marked by number 2 on this figure is a desert primarily because:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The area marked by number 2 on the figure is in the subtropics and therefore experiences dry, descending air. This air mass loses moisture as it moves over land, resulting in arid conditions and the formation of deserts. This is why choice D is the best answer. Choice A, being in the rainshadow of a mountain range, could contribute to arid conditions, but it is not the primary reason for the formation of deserts in subtropical regions. Choice B is incorrect because cold currents from the Arctic would not necessarily cause aridity, and choice C is incorrect because there are many interior regions of continents that are not deserts.

The Area Marked by Number 2 on This Figure Is