Why are most deserts located at the western margins of continents in the subtropics?

Answer 1

While some deserts are on western margins of continents, most desert land isn't. The main Asian deserts happen to be in the middle of the continent, the Sahara spreads right across North Africa from west to east, and Australia's deserts are also largely central. And then there's the entire continent of Antarctica, a desert due to its low level of precipitation.

Answer 2

In the subtropics usually refers to the parts of the earth between 15 and 30 degrees (north or south of the equator.)

The prevailing winds in these areas are easterlies, flowing from east to west. Thus they travel over oceans picking up water vapour from evaporation. They strike the east coast of the continent. The increase in elevation cools the air and tends to condense the evaporated water, which falls as rain. In extreme cases, such as in South America, the mountains (the Andes) drive the air currents up so much that when they pass over and descend, all the water is virtually gone. Thus the Atacama desert on the west coast.

Answer 3

They arn't, just because a desert is located westward of the middle of a country doesn't mean they can't form in the east, north, & south.

Answer 4

It is partially because of the currents, but mainly this is because of the rainshadow effect and the high mountains

Hope i helped

Answer 5

because the places there are more warm.

if it was for instance England then it would be all wet

Answer 6

Are you referring to the west of a particular continent or the Western Hemisphere or something else? Please narrow your question to a location.

Answer 7

Your premise is incorrect. The cool coastal deserts, such as the Namib and the Atacama, are on the west coasts of their continents.

Answer 8

Deserts are found on all the continents.

Answer 9

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