Largest Desert in the World

When we try to answer the question, which is the largest desert in the world, we must specify the type of desert we're talking about. Technically, a desert is a geological formation that receives an extremely low amount of precipitation, quite low for supporting plant life.

The population of animals is very less, and vegetation is sparse due to harsh climatic conditions. Defining deserts with some common definition is extremely difficult owing to the presence of numerous types of deserts. Deserts may be polar (Antarctica, Arctic) and non-polar (Kalahari, Sahara).

Technically, the Sahara Desert, located in Northern Africa, is the world's largest hot desert. Area wise, it is lesser than the world's largest polar desert, Antarctica (which is defined as a desert, owing to less precipitation).

However, since the mere name of a 'desert' evokes images of sand and absolutely minimal signs of water, the Sahara desert is hailed to be the world's largest desert. In our discussion, we'll brief you about both; the Sahara and the Antarctica.

The Great Sahara desert is a marvelous manifestation of nature's architecture. With innumerable sand dunes scaling up to a minimum height of 180 m, and scorching heat, this desert is a kaleidoscope of ancient cultures, traditions, amusing wildlife, and some unusual vegetation.

• The Sahara covers an area of 350,000 square miles. In the east, the Red sea binds it, while in the west, it extends to the Atlantic ocean. The northern part of Sahara shares borders with the Mediterranean sea to the end in south Sahel, where the desert transforms into a semi-arid region; the tropical Savanna.

• The Sahara desert covers most of Northern Africa, and it is as large as the US or the European continent!

• The Sahara embraces many of the world's ancient countries, like Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Mali, Libya, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, and Tunisia.
• The presence of the Nile river to the north of Sahara, along the Mediterranean region, favors abundant growth of olive trees. Although vegetation is sparse, there are numerous plants that can thrive in this desert.

• Ostriches, monitor lizards, camels, and sand vipers are some typical animals found in the Sahara desert.
• The climate is extremely hot in summers and chilly on cold nights. Temperatures go higher than 50 degrees Celsius in summers.

Sprawling over an area of 5.4 million sq meters, Antarctica, is the fifth largest continent in the world, and is often hailed to be the largest desert in the world, though, a colder one. Here are some interesting facts to know.

• Although Antarctica contains more than 70% of the world's water content, it is the driest place on Earth. Some places in Antarctica haven't received rainfall for a period of two million years, so say scientists!
• It is said to be the windiest and coldest place on Earth.
• 90% of the world's ice is found in Antarctica.

• This desert is home to many marine species of the world, that includes blue whales, seals, and penguins. (Remember, Happy Feet!)
• Temperatures as low as -90 degrees Celsius have been recorded!
• If you believed that Eskimos inhabit Antarctica, then you're mistaken. Antarctica is not home to Eskimos! Instead, they inhabit eastern Siberia (Russia) and Alaska. Humans set their foot first in Antarctica in the year 1821.
• Antarctica is the highest continent above sea level.

So, when it comes to hot or non-polar desert, it is the Sahara, and when it comes to polar or cold desert, it is the Antarctica. Now that you're equipped with a good quiz question, go and ask your friends about it. See how many of them are unaware of the fact that Antarctica is also defined as a desert as well as it is the largest cold desert on our planet.