The six continents of the Earth are completely different from each other. For example, in Eurasia - the most diverse climatic conditions in the world. According to the climate, the hottest continent - Africa, the coldest - Antarctica can be distinguished. The wettest continent is South America. But Australia is the driest mainland on Earth.
Causes of low rainfall
Australia is almost halved by the southern tropic. This means that tropical air prevails here. Dry and hot tropical masses remain throughout the whole year throughout most of the mainland, so there is very little rainfall. Over the tropics in both hemispheres of the Earth, areas of increased atmospheric pressure are formed. In them, air descends and becomes drier, which leads to constant clear weather and an almost complete absence of precipitation.
In most of Australia, rainfall is not more than 250 mm per year. This is several times less than in the suburbs. And given that the climate of Australia is much warmer, we can understand that the dryness of the air here is much more than ours.
There is another reason that it is the driest mainland on Earth. These are mountains in the east of the continent. In Australia, trade winds operate - winds blowing from the tropics to the equator. They are directed from the Pacific Ocean to the mainland. Encountering mountains on its way, air masses rise up the slope, pouring rain on the east coast. And in the inner regions the air comes already drained and does not precipitate.
The effects of dry climate
As a result of the aridity of the climate, deserts and semi-deserts are located in the predominant part of Australia. The most famous are the Great Desert Victoria, Great Sandy, Gibson, Simpson. And in the area of Lake Eyre, nicknamed the "Dead Heart of Australia", rainfall does not exceed 125 mm. And the relative humidity here is not more than 20-30%.
There are few rivers in Australia. They mainly originate from the Great Dividing Range. The largest is Murray with the main tributary - Darling. But there are rivers in the north of the mainland, where the subequatorial climate dominates.
Flora and fauna of the driest continent on Earth
In such conditions, only adapted species of plants and animals survive that can withstand a dry climate. In eucalyptus trees, dense leaves are turned edge-on toward the sun's rays to reduce evaporation. And long roots can extract water from a depth of tens of meters. There are dwarf species of eucalyptus trees and tall trees. The thickets of this plant are dangerous by frequent fires, since the essential oils contained in the leaves are easily self-igniting in conditions of heat and dryness.
In the deserts, cereals (spinifex) and shrubs - acacia, various hodgepodge, quinoa are also common. The prickly pear cactus introduced in the 20th century quickly spread and became a malicious weed.
Of the inhabitants of the deserts, the most interesting is moloch - a small lizard, all covered with growths and spikes. It is able to absorb moisture throughout the skin. Among other animals, various birds that feed on the seeds of cereals, reptiles and insects can be noted.
