Question

Analyze the map below and answer the question that follows.
A map of the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America titled Latin American Climate Regions. A key shows 4 main climate zones and their subzones by color. Tropical zone: Dark purple = Tropical humid. Light purple = Tropical wet and dry. Dry Zone: Yellow = Semiarid. Tan = Arid. Mid-Latitude Zone: Dark green = Mediterranean. Aqua = Humid subtropical. Light green = Marine west coast. High Latitude Zone: Orange = Humid continental. Brown = Highlands.

Much of South America falls within the tropical humid and tropical wet and dry climate zones, as indicated by the two shades of purple on the above map. Which of the following statements best explains why much of the western coast is colored dark brown?
A.
The dark brown represents the marine west coast climate zone.
B.
The dark brown represents the arid climate zone: the western portion of the continent is a desert.
C.
The dark brown represents the highland climate zone, and the Andes Mountains are located along the western portion of the continent.
D.
The dark brown represents the highland climate zone, and the Sierra Madres are located along the western portion of the continent.

Answer 1

C.

The dark brown is the highland climate zone. The Andes run along the western edge of South America, producing high‑altitude (highland) climates there. (The Sierra Madres are in Mexico, and arid/marine west coast colors differ on the key.)