Question

Consider the following statements:

1. Either of the two belts over the oceans at about 30° to 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 1

(a) 25°–35° N and S in both hemisphere is a high pressure belt and high temperature zone. This belt owes its origin to the rotation of the earth and sinking and setting down of winds. This zone is of high pressure is called horse latitude because in ancient times the merchant carrying horse in their ships had to throw out of some of the horse while passing through this zone of calm in order to lighten their ships.