Geo-Scientist Prelims 2023 General Studies Q1: Deserts are generally located at

Answer: (c) about 30° latitude

Hot deserts lie at about 20°–30° latitude in both hemispheres, under the subtropical high-pressure belt. Air of the Hadley cell sinks here, warms adiabatically and stays dry, so clouds and rain are rare. Most such deserts are also on the western sides of continents, where cold ocean currents add to the dryness (Sahara, Kalahari, Atacama, Thar). Equatorial regions are wet; polar regions are cold deserts only in a loose sense. → (c)