Introduction to the Sahara Desert: A Magnificent African Landscape
The Sahara Desert is one of the world’s largest deserts located in the African hemisphere of the globe. The Sahara, which is Arabic for Desert, is between the Mediterranean from the North and the Red Sea from the East.
Debunking Misconceptions: Temperature Variations in the Sahara
There are many misunderstandings about the Sahara Desert. For example, the Sahara Desert is usually hot and is historic for having the highest temperature in the world of 136 degrees in 1993, however it is not always hot. Between December and February, the temperature in the desert can go below freezing at night.
The Sahara’s Status: Among the World’s Largest Deserts
Although the Sahara is a very large place, it isn’t the largest desert in the wor
ld. The largest desert is Antarctica. However, it is still counted amongst the world’s largest desert areas and continues to grow every day.
Extent and Countries Covered: Mapping the Sahara’s Reach
The Sahara Desert covers about 3.8 million square miles, which is 8% of the world’s surface area and includes eleven countries: Libya, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Chad, Niger, Eritrea, Mali, Mauritania, Sudan and Mali. Even though the Sahara is spread across so many countries, only 2 million people call it home.
From Rich Farmland to Arid Land: Tracing the Sahara’s Evolution
Many people see the Sahara Desert as a dry sandy place where not much grows, however many years ago the Sahara Desert was a fertile farmland with many people living there. Even though today, it is much drier, there are still several areas of oasis land which is fertile and productive.
Frequently Asked Questions
The name “Sahara desert” originated from the Arab conquerors of North Africa in the 7th century AD, who referred to it as “al-sahara,” meaning “the desert.”
The depth of sand in the Sahara desert varies across locations and seasons, making it difficult to provide a definitive answer. On average, the depth is estimated to be around 16 feet (5 meters).
Within the Sahara desert, notable sand dunes called ergs can be found. The tallest erg, Erg Chebbi, rises to a height of 150 meters (490 feet).
The past existence of green areas in the Sahara desert remains uncertain, although some research suggests it is a possibility. The Sahara, situated in the tropics, experiences year-round summer weather. However, due to its vast size, the climate varies across different regions.
In the northern Sahara, summer temperatures can soar up to 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit), creating inhospitable conditions for plant growth. Conversely, the southern Sahara can experience winter temperatures dropping below freezing point. These variations imply the potential existence of green areas in the past.
The Sahara desert, formed by the merging of the Gaetulian and Libya Deserts, is estimated to be around 4.6 million years old. Covering an expansive area of over 3 million square miles, it ranks among the largest and hottest deserts globally. With average temperatures surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the Sahara experiences extreme weather phenomena like dust storms, sandstorms, and flash floods.
- The Sahara desert is the largest hot desert in the world, and the third largest desert overall, after the Antarctic and Artic Polar deserts.
- The Sahara desert is home to some of the harshest weather conditions on earth, with temperatures that can reach up to 125 degrees Fahrenheit (51 degrees Celsius) during the day.
- Despite its hostile environment, the Sahara desert is home to a wide variety of animal life. One of the most famous creatures that call the Sahara home is the camel and African Lions can also be found in the south Sahara desert
- It’s also home to some amazing plants, like cacti and date palms.
- The Sahara desert has a long and storied history and has been inhabited by humans for centuries. Some of the most famous civilizations to have emerged from the Sahara include Ancient Egypt and Carthage.
