RAS question
Horse latitudes are located around:
Correct answer: (A) 30 degrees N/S.
Horse latitudes are located at about 30 degrees north and south of the equator, in the subtropical high-pressure belts.
Explanation
Horse latitudes lie around 30 degrees north and south of the equator. NOAA describes them as subtropical regions where winds diverge: some move poleward as prevailing westerlies, while others move equatorward as trade winds. This divergence is linked to high pressure, which produces calm winds, sunny skies, and little or no precipitation. That matches the standard geography explanation: these are dry, calm subtropical high-pressure belts, not equatorial or sub-polar zones. Because descending air suppresses rainfall, major deserts such as the Sahara and the Thar occur in these latitudinal belts.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) 0 degrees marks the equatorial belt, associated in the question data with the equatorial low or doldrums, not the subtropical horse latitudes.
- (C) 23.5 degrees north and south are the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, whereas horse latitudes are placed farther poleward at about 30 degrees north and south.
- (D) 60 degrees north and south correspond to the sub-polar low-pressure belt, while horse latitudes are subtropical high-pressure belts around 30 degrees.
Concept
This tests global pressure belts and planetary wind circulation, especially the link between subtropical highs, descending air, and aridity. It recurs in RAS because these belts explain desert distribution and basic climatology.