Deserts of the United States Quiz

1. Where does the North American Desert stretch from?

Southern Oregon to northern Mexico

Northern Canada to southern Texas

Eastern Florida to western California

Northern Alaska to southern Arizona

The North American Desert spans a vast region, extending from the southern parts of Oregon and Idaho in the United States down to the northern areas of Mexico. This expansive desert landscape encompasses diverse ecosystems characterized by arid and semi-arid conditions, with sparse vegetation and limited precipitation.

Explanation

The North American Desert spans a vast region, extending from the southern parts of Oregon and Idaho in the United States down to the northern areas of Mexico. This expansive desert landscape encompasses diverse ecosystems characterized by arid and semi-arid conditions, with sparse vegetation and limited precipitation.

2. How many major deserts are there in the United States?

2

3

4

5

There are four major deserts in the United States: the Great Basin, Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan. These diverse ecosystems, each with its unique characteristics and species, collectively form the North American Desert, a testament to the varied landscapes found within the United States.

Explanation

There are four major deserts in the United States: the Great Basin, Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan. These diverse ecosystems, each with its unique characteristics and species, collectively form the North American Desert, a testament to the varied landscapes found within the United States.

3. Which is the smallest of the four major American Deserts?

Great Basin

Mojave

Sonoran

Chihuahuan

The Mojave Desert, though the smallest of the four major American Deserts, is an immense and impressive sight to behold. Its location, spanning parts of California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona, offers a diverse landscape that challenges the common perception of deserts as barren wastelands.

Explanation

The Mojave Desert, though the smallest of the four major American Deserts, is an immense and impressive sight to behold. Its location, spanning parts of California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona, offers a diverse landscape that challenges the common perception of deserts as barren wastelands.

4. What is the main characteristic of the North American Desert's climate?

Mild rainfall

Mild temperatures

Overall aridity

None of the above

The climate of the North American Desert is characterized by overall aridity, which means that there is a persistent lack of moisture in the air and on the ground. This arid condition is primarily due to the fact that the region experiences an excess of potential evaporation over precipitation. As a result, the North American Desert receives minimal rainfall, and the little precipitation it does receive often evaporates quickly due to the high temperatures and dry air.

Explanation

The climate of the North American Desert is characterized by overall aridity, which means that there is a persistent lack of moisture in the air and on the ground. This arid condition is primarily due to the fact that the region experiences an excess of potential evaporation over precipitation. As a result, the North American Desert receives minimal rainfall, and the little precipitation it does receive often evaporates quickly due to the high temperatures and dry air.

5. Which desert is classified as a cold mid-latitude desert?

Mojave Desert

Great Basin Desert

Chihuahuan Desert

Sonoran Desert

The Great Basin Desert is categorized as a cold mid-latitude desert primarily due to its geographical location and climatic characteristics. One key factor is its rain shadow effect, caused by the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges to the west, which block moisture-laden air from the Pacific Ocean. As a result, precipitation is limited, and much of the region receives less than 10 inches (25 cm) of rainfall annually.

Explanation

The Great Basin Desert is categorized as a cold mid-latitude desert primarily due to its geographical location and climatic characteristics. One key factor is its rain shadow effect, caused by the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges to the west, which block moisture-laden air from the Pacific Ocean. As a result, precipitation is limited, and much of the region receives less than 10 inches (25 cm) of rainfall annually.

6. What is the largest desert located entirely within the United States?

Great Basin

Mojave

Sonoran

Chihuahuan

The Great Basin Desert, covering around 190,000 square miles, holds the title for the largest desert located entirely within the United States. Its vast expanse, mostly within Nevada and crossing into parts of Idaho, California, Utah, and Oregon, offers a unique blend of fauna and flora adapted to its arid conditions.

Explanation

The Great Basin Desert, covering around 190,000 square miles, holds the title for the largest desert located entirely within the United States. Its vast expanse, mostly within Nevada and crossing into parts of Idaho, California, Utah, and Oregon, offers a unique blend of fauna and flora adapted to its arid conditions.

7. Which desert is also called the Desierto de Altar?

Great Basin

Mojave

Sonoran

Chihuahuan

The Sonoran Desert, which covers 120,000 square miles across Southeastern California, Southwestern Arizona, and portions of the Mexican states of Baja California Sur, and Sonora, is also called the Desierto de Altar. Its vast expanse and diverse ecosystems make it a hotspot for biodiversity.

Explanation

The Sonoran Desert, which covers 120,000 square miles across Southeastern California, Southwestern Arizona, and portions of the Mexican states of Baja California Sur, and Sonora, is also called the Desierto de Altar. Its vast expanse and diverse ecosystems make it a hotspot for biodiversity.

8. Which desert is sometimes considered an extension of the Great Basin Desert?

The Red Desert of southern Wyoming

The Mojave Desert of California

The Sonoran Desert

Chihuahuan Desert

The Red Desert of southern Wyoming is often regarded as an extension of the Great Basin Desert due to similarities in their geological and climatic characteristics. While the Great Basin Desert primarily spans parts of Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, and California, the Red Desert is located in the southwestern portion of Wyoming.

Explanation

The Red Desert of southern Wyoming is often regarded as an extension of the Great Basin Desert due to similarities in their geological and climatic characteristics. While the Great Basin Desert primarily spans parts of Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, and California, the Red Desert is located in the southwestern portion of Wyoming.

9. Which desert is the largest in North America?

Great Basin

Mojave

Sonoran

Chihuahuan

The Chihuahuan Desert, spanning through Eastern Arizona, Southern New Mexico, portions of Southwest Texas, and then far South into Mexico’s Central Highlands, is the largest desert in North America. Its size and geographical spread contribute to its diverse ecosystem, making it a fascinating subject of study for ecologists and nature enthusiasts alike.

Explanation

The Chihuahuan Desert, spanning through Eastern Arizona, Southern New Mexico, portions of Southwest Texas, and then far South into Mexico’s Central Highlands, is the largest desert in North America. Its size and geographical spread contribute to its diverse ecosystem, making it a fascinating subject of study for ecologists and nature enthusiasts alike.

10. Who established the legend of a "Great American Desert"?

Christopher Columbus

Lewis and Clark

Stephen H. Long

Benjamin Franklin

The legend of the "Great American Desert" originated in the early 1820s, largely due to the detailed accounts provided by an expedition led by the American pioneer explorer and engineer, Stephen H. Long. During this expedition, which took place between 1819 and 1820, Long and his team explored the central region of what is now the United States.

Explanation

The legend of the "Great American Desert" originated in the early 1820s, largely due to the detailed accounts provided by an expedition led by the American pioneer explorer and engineer, Stephen H. Long. During this expedition, which took place between 1819 and 1820, Long and his team explored the central region of what is now the United States.