Here's why:
* Extreme Temperatures: Deserts experience significant temperature fluctuations between day and night due to the lack of cloud cover and humidity. The sun's rays directly heat the ground during the day, leading to very high temperatures. However, at night, the heat radiates back into the atmosphere, resulting in rapid cooling.
* Low Rainfall: Deserts are characterized by extremely low rainfall, typically less than 10 inches per year. This lack of moisture contributes to the arid conditions and sparse vegetation.
There are various types of deserts, including hot and dry deserts, cold deserts, and coastal deserts. All of them share the common characteristics of extreme temperatures and low rainfall.