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How does the Benguela Current influence the climate of southwestern Central Africa?
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Central Africa
A small village in the hills along the banks of the Congo River, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa.
The Benguela Current significantly influences the climate of southwestern Central Africa and adjacent coastal regions by promoting desertlike aridity.1
The current, which consists of cool water, chills the maritime air masses that pass over it. This cooling effect stabilizes the air, preventing it from rising and producing precipitation. Consequently, even when other parts of the region receive rainfall, the southwest coast remains dry because the maritime air mass remains stable offshore. Furthermore, coastal areas adjacent to the current do not experience the typical relief of sea breezes, as the air they carry is cool and possesses a low moisture content.231