UPSC Prelims 2007 Q81: Geography – Atmosphere & Climatology
Consider the following statements:
1. Either of the two belts over the ocean at about 30° - 35° N and S latitudes is known as Horse
Latitude.
2. Horse Latitudes are low - pressure belts.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation
Horse Latitudes = Subtropical High-Pressure Belts
| Belt | Latitude | Pressure | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equatorial Low (Doldrums) | 0°-5° | Low | Calm, rising air, heavy rain |
| Subtropical High (Horse Latitudes) | 30°-35° N and S | HIGH | Calm, sinking dry air, deserts |
| Subpolar Low | 60°-65° | Low | Stormy, cyclonic |
| Polar High | 90° | High | Cold, dry |
Statement 1: Belts at 30°-35° N and S are called Horse Latitudes — TRUE.
Statement 2: They are low-pressure belts — FALSE. They are high-pressure belts.
Air from the Hadley cell sinks here, so the weather is calm and dry.
Most hot deserts (Sahara, Kalahari, Thar, Australian) lie near these latitudes.
Answer: (a) 1 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Horse Latitudes are at 30°-35° and are high-pressure belts.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2 is wrong — Horse Latitudes are high pressure.
- (c) Incorrect. Only Statement 1 is true.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 1 correctly gives their position.
Key point
Horse Latitudes = 30°-35° N/S = Subtropical HIGH pressure = sinking dry air = calm seas and deserts.
Remember
Horse Latitudes are subtropical HIGH-pressure belts at 30°-35°.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Horse Latitudes (high pressure, 30°) with the Doldrums (low pressure, equator). Both are calm.
- Thinking 'calm' means low pressure — calm air here comes from sinking air.
- Forgetting that hot deserts lie along these belts on the western sides of continents.
Exam tip
Pressure belts alternate: Low (0°) – High (30°) – Low (60°) – High (90°). Horse Latitudes = the 30° High.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI — Fundamentals of Physical Geography, Ch 10 (Atmospheric Circulation)
- G.C. Leong — Certificate Physical and Human Geography