Theory question 203
ClimateWrite a geographical account of Hot Desert Climate under the following: (a) Location (b) Characteristic features, (c) Vegetation, (d) Human activities.
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(a) Between about 15° and 30° N and S, on the western sides of continents: Sahara, Kalahari and Namib (Africa), Arabian, Thar, Atacama, Mojave/Arizona, Great Australian Desert.
(b) Very high day temperatures (over 38°C) and cold nights, large diurnal range (up to 20°C); rainfall very low (under 250 mm) and unreliable; very low humidity and high evaporation; clear skies and intense sunshine; dry trade winds and dust storms; occasional flash floods.
(c) Scanty xerophytic plants: cacti, thorny bushes, acacia, date palms at oases; plants with long roots, thick waxy or spiny leaves, water-storing stems; short-lived plants that bloom after rain; large areas bare.
(d) Nomadic herding of camels, goats and sheep; oasis farming (dates, millet, vegetables) with irrigation; mining (oil, gas, phosphate, salt, diamonds); trading by caravans; tourism.
Write notes under each of the four headings.