Good job Caxie, you are pretty close. it has to do with a lot of key features of Cape Canaveral. We built it there due to the near constant and predictable preassure, fairly constant climate, low dust, and especially the abundent water for rocket retrevel. It also has a very specific magnetic field, which is good for out ultra expensive technology.
All in all, nowhere on the entire planet is it as easy to launch a rocket then right there. it costs less in fuel, due to the lower preassure, and like I said, its great for everything NASA does best.
As for a desert... You mean well, but the dust would make the shuttles explode due to clogged fuel lines, and a lot more. the heat also would not allow nearly as much fuel in the tanks due to expansion.
