Global distribution of mid and low latitude deserts and their margins (arid and semi-arid)
Hot deserts cluster in two broad belts around the globe. They form where specific atmospheric and geographic conditions prevent rainfall from reaching the land.
Real World
The Atacama Desert in Chile sits beneath the descending limb of the Hadley cell and in the rain shadow of the Andes, making it the driest non-polar desert on Earth with some weather stations recording zero rainfall for decades.
Exam Focus
Name at least two causes of aridity (e.g. Hadley cell plus continentality) — single-cause answers rarely reach the top mark band.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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