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15 Most Famous Deserts Around The World

Deserts are known for covering a third of the Earth’s land surface. Deserts are very important not only do they provide habitat for a variety of plants and animals, but they also regulate the Earth’s climate. The hottest desert in the world is the Death Valley which is found in California, USA. However, the driest desert in the world is the Atacama Desert in Chile but the coldest desert in the world is Antarctica.

Some of the unique plants that call deserts their home include the saguaro cactus which is only found in North American deserts. These plants have adapted to the lack of water as well as the extreme temperatures. In order to survive, they have developed special features like thick and waxy skin.

Here are the 15 Most Famous Deserts Around The World;

1. The Sahara Desert, Northern Africa

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It is the largest hot desert in the world. Sahara is located in northern Africa in the countries Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia, and Western Sahara. The average weather of the Sahara desert is 30 degrees Celsius and can reach 50 degrees Celsius. This desert is used by people for mining, tourism, and grazing livestock. It should be noted that the Sahara is a major source of sand for glassmaking.

2. Kalahari Desert, Southern Africa

It is a large semi-arid sandy savanna that covers much of Botswana and parts of Namibia as well as South Africa. It is home to a number of plants and animals including elephants, giraffes, meerkats, and zebras. The Kalahari is a  tourist destination that became popular for its diverse wildlife and cultural heritage. Aside from being a tourist attraction, it is a major source of diamonds and for being the earliest human settlement in Africa.

3. Atacama Desert, South America

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It is a desert plateau that has an average of less than 1 millimeter per year. The Atacama is considered to be the hottest desert in the world with an average temperature of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. There are a number of animals that live in the Atacama including vicunas, Ilamas, guanacos, and viscachas. Aside from being the hottest desert, it is home to the world’s driest lake known as the Salar de Atacama.

4. Namib Desert, Southern Africa

It is a coastal desert that covers the Atlantic coast of Angola, Namibia, and South Africa. It is home to numerous archaeological sites including the remains of ancient civilizations that lived there thousands of years ago. The Namib has the world’s highest sand dunes that reach heights of over 300 meters. Not only is it popular because of the tourist attractions, but it is also famous for its rich cultural heritage.

5. Arabian Desert, Asia

With an area of 2,330,000 square kilometers, the Arabian Desert is the largest desert in Asia. It stretches across eight countries namely Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, and Qatar. The desert has an average temperature that ranges from 30 to 50 degrees Celsius. It is the source of oil and gas for the people in the Middle East. The vast area of uninhabited desert is known as the Empty Quater.

6. Antarctic Desert, Antarctica

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It is the coldest, windiest, and driest continent in the world. It has a record of wind speeds of more than 218 miles per hour. Due to the fact that the continent is home to the harshest conditions, the plants and animals that have adapted to the climate include penguins, seals, and whales. The McMurdo Dry Valley is the driest place on Earth and is located in the Antarctic.

7. Gobi Desert, Central Asia

It is the fifth-largest desert in the world. It is on the border between Mongolia and China. The Gobi is known for being a cold desert with an average temperature of -40 degrees Celsius. The plants and animals in the area have a variety of animals and plants that have adapted to the conditions. Some of the plants found there include camels, gazelles, wolves, and snow leopards. Gobi is a popular tourist destination because of the Flaming Cliffs which are a series of sandstone cliffs that are red in color.

8. Arctic Desert

Also known as the Polar Desert is a cold desert that covers parts of Canada, Alaska, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Russia, and Greenland. It is known for its high winds, little rainfall, and extreme temperatures. Some of the plants that have adapted to the harsh conditions of the Arctic include lichens, grasses, and mosses. The Arctic is home to the North Pole which is the northernmost point on Earth.

9. Patagonian Desert, Argentina

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It is the eighth-largest desert in the world. Some of the plants that are located in the area include cacti, shrubs, rheas, and foxes. The Patagonian is home to numerous archaeological sites including the remains of ancient settlements. The Pampas Wind Farm is the world’s largest wind farm that is located in the desert.

10. Great Basin Desert, United States

It is a large desert region that covers the western part of the USA. It is home to a variety of animal life including pronghorn antelope, and bighorn sheep. The Great Basin is a rainshadow desert with an average annual rainfall of about 10 inches. It is popular for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, hunting, and fishing. The Great Basin is home to national parks and monuments including Great Basin National Park and Black Rock Desert National Conservation Area.

11. Death Valley Desert, Eastern California

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It is the lowest, hottest, driest area in North America. The average temperature in the valley is 25 degrees Celsius but it can reach highs of 56 degrees Celsius. The Death Valley is home to the largest active sand dunes which are known as the Eureka Dunes. Aside from being a popular tourist attraction, it is famous for having the oldest living trees which are over 4,800 years old.

12. Great Victoria, Australia

It is the largest desert in Australia that covers an area of 424, 400 square kilometers. It is populated with a variety of landscapes including sand dunes, salt lakes as well as rocky outcrops. The average temperature of Great Victoria ranges from 25 degrees Celsius to 10 degrees Celsius. It is a popular destination for stargazing due to the lack of light pollution. Great Victoria has been ranked as the best place in the world to see the stars.

13. The Sonoran Desert, United States

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It is the largest desert in North America and is located in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It has an average temperature that ranges from 10 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius. It is home to settlements such as Tucson, Arizona, and Phoenix. One of the tourist attractions in the desert is The Grand Canyon which has been labeled as being among the worldwide geological phenomena.

14. The Taklamakan, China

It is a desert located in the Tarim Basin in northwestern China. It is known as the 11th largest desert in the world. The Taklamakan has an average temperature that ranges from 25 degrees Celsius to -10 degrees Celsius. It is home to a number of archaeological sites including the remains of ancient settlements.

15. The Mojave, United States

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It is a desert located in the southwestern United States that is bordered by the Great Basin Desert to the North. It has an average temperature that ranges from 10 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius. The Mojave is home to Las Vegas, Palm Springs, and Nevada. It is a popular destination for tourists who enjoy unique landscapes and rich history.

All in all, deserts are a vital part of the environment. Deserts help keep balance in the ecosystem and add to the many important phenomena of the world. Even though the weather can be extreme, it is still a great place for outdoor activities and adventures.