The north-eastern part of the Brazilian Highlands receives very little rainfall.

Answer: Because this region lies in the rain-shadow of the highlands, away from the rain-bearing winds.

• The South-East trade winds bring moisture from the Atlantic Ocean. When they meet the steep Great Escarpment along the eastern coast, they rise and give heavy rain on the coastal side.
• After crossing the escarpment the winds descend on the other side, become dry and give little rain to the interior of the north-eastern highlands, which therefore lies in a rain-shadow region.
• This region is hot, with scanty and uncertain rainfall, and suffers frequent droughts. It is therefore called the ‘drought quadrilateral’.