Investigate each statement and select the one that best describes why southwest South America has a dry climate

Question

Southwest South America is in the intertropical convergence zone.
Southwest South America is in the intertropical convergence zone.

There is a cold ocean current on the west coast of South America.
There is a cold ocean current on the west coast of South America.

The northeast trade winds blow onto the west coast of South America.
The northeast trade winds blow onto the west coast of South America.

The Gulf Stream produces a dry climate in southwest South America.

Answer 1

The statement that best describes why southwest South America has a dry climate is:

There is a cold ocean current on the west coast of South America.

This refers specifically to the Humboldt Current, which is a cold ocean current that flows northward along the coast of Peru and northern Chile. The cold temperatures of the current contribute to lower humidity and reduced precipitation in the coastal areas, leading to a dry climate.