Which statement best describes Peru's coastal region?

Which statement best describes Peru's coastal region?

• A. Rainforest
• B. Tundra
• C. Desert
• D. Alpine

Answer: (C)

Peru’s coastal strip along the Pacific is best described as a desert. The cold Humboldt Current that flows along the coast cools the air and reduces its ability to hold moisture, so rainfall is scarce and the landscape becomes arid. The Pacific coast sits in a rain shadow because moist air from the Amazon rises over the Andes and releases most of its moisture inland, leaving the coast dry. A little fog or coastal mist can occur, but it isn’t enough to create a rainforest. In contrast, rainforest ecosystems are found in the eastern Amazon basin, far from the coast; tundra refers to very cold, high-latitude or high-elevation regions, and alpine describes high mountain environments—neither of which characterize Peru’s coastal plain.

Peru’s coastal strip along the Pacific is best described as a desert. The cold Humboldt Current that flows along the coast cools the air and reduces its ability to hold moisture, so rainfall is scarce and the landscape becomes arid. The Pacific coast sits in a rain shadow because moist air from the Amazon rises over the Andes and releases most of its moisture inland, leaving the coast dry. A little fog or coastal mist can occur, but it isn’t enough to create a rainforest. In contrast, rainforest ecosystems are found in the eastern Amazon basin, far from the coast; tundra refers to very cold, high-latitude or high-elevation regions, and alpine describes high mountain environments—neither of which characterize Peru’s coastal plain.