Why are places close to the equator hot?

The places by the equator are hot because the sun's rays are by or directly on the equator. 

Places near the equator are so hot because the earth is tilted towards the sun , the north axis receives the most sunlight every 3 monts the other  3 months the the other 6 months are spring and fall where neither  side is tilted the equater is so hot because it has only two seasons because the sun reflects on its surface all year long.,

Answerhave flowing water either episodically or during only a portion of the year;

The answer is that they depend on rainfall for their crops to grow. hope this .