What classifies a desert region?

What classifies a desert region?

• A. Temperature
• B. Rainfall
• C. Humidity
• D. Elevation

Answer: (B)

Desert regions are defined by aridity—the amount of moisture available relative to what is lost through evaporation. The key factor is rainfall. Deserts receive very little precipitation each year, so even if temperatures are high or humidity varies, the lack of rain keeps the landscape dry. Humidity describes moisture in the air, and elevation or temperature can influence a desert’s appearance, but they don’t set the classification. The defining criterion is consistently low rainfall, which is why rainfall is the best answer.

Desert regions are defined by aridity—the amount of moisture available relative to what is lost through evaporation. The key factor is rainfall. Deserts receive very little precipitation each year, so even if temperatures are high or humidity varies, the lack of rain keeps the landscape dry. Humidity describes moisture in the air, and elevation or temperature can influence a desert’s appearance, but they don’t set the classification. The defining criterion is consistently low rainfall, which is why rainfall is the best answer.