The entire region of Northern Africa and Southwest Asia has a climate generally described as

A. Dry

B. Snowfall does not occur

C. Cooler by water

D. Hot all day and night

The answer is C, cooler by water. Those places in this region that are near the water generally have a Mediterranean climate. Further inland, those areas

adjacent to the Mediterranean climates are usually steppe (Precipitation is 10-25 inches of rain a year, Vegetation grasslands, few trees, can be cold or hot). The remainder of the region is a desert climate (Precipitation less than 10 inches a year, Vegetation from scrub plants and cactus to almost

nothing, can be cold or hot). Around 50% of the region is desert. However, Less than 10% of the land in the desert is sand. The rest of the desert is rocky and gravelly.