Investigate each statement and select the one that best describes why southwest South America has a dry climate. (1 point)

Question

The Gulf Stream produces a dry climate in southwest South America.
Southwest South America is in
• the intertropical convergence zone.
The northeast trade winds blow onto the west coast of South America.
There is a cold ocean current on the west coast of 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 to the Humboldt Current, which is a cold ocean current that flows northward along the western coast of South America. The cold waters of the current inhibit evaporation and contribute to the dry conditions, especially in regions like the Atacama Desert in Chile.