Geography
Largest Deserts
The world's largest deserts by area, spanning hot, cold, and coastal types.
desertsgeographynatureclimate
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Name↕ | Area (km²)↕ | Type↕ | Continent↕ | Country / Countries↕ | Notable Feature↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antarctic Desert | 14,200,000 | Cold (polar) | Antarctica | Antarctica (multiple claims) | Largest desert on Earth, ice sheet covers 98% |
| Arctic Desert | 13,985,000 | Cold (polar) | Arctic | Russia, Canada, USA, Norway, etc. | Polar desert with permafrost |
| Sahara | 9,200,000 | Hot | Africa | 11 countries (Algeria, Libya, Egypt, etc.) | Largest hot desert, sand dunes up to 180m |
| Arabian Desert | 2,330,000 | Hot | Asia | Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, UAE, etc. | Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter) sand sea |
| Gobi Desert | 1,295,000 | Cold | Asia | China, Mongolia | Dinosaur fossil discoveries, rapid expansion |
| Kalahari Desert | 900,000 | Hot (semi-arid) | Africa | Botswana, Namibia, South Africa | Home of the San Bushmen |
| Patagonian Desert | 673,000 | Cold | South America | Argentina | Rain shadow of Andes, strong winds |
| Great Victoria Desert | 647,000 | Hot | Australia | Australia | Sandhills, salt lakes, spinifex grasslands |
| Syrian Desert | 500,000 | Hot | Asia | Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia | Rocky steppe with ancient trade routes |
| Great Basin Desert | 492,000 | Cold | North America | United States | Sagebrush steppe between mountain ranges |
| Chihuahuan Desert | 450,000 | Hot | North America | Mexico, United States | White Sands, Big Bend, Carlsbad Caverns |
| Karakum Desert | 350,000 | Hot | Asia | Turkmenistan | Darvaza Gas Crater (Door to Hell) |
| Sonoran Desert | 310,000 | Hot | North America | United States, Mexico | Saguaro cacti, most biodiverse desert |
| Namib Desert | 81,000 | Coastal | Africa | Namibia, Angola | Oldest desert (55M years), Sossusvlei dunes |
| Atacama Desert | 105,000 | Cold (coastal) | South America | Chile, Peru | Driest non-polar desert, astronomical observatories |
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