Sahara Desert (Africa)

The Sahara is the world's largest hot desert, covering about 9.2 million km² (3.6 million sq miles)—roughly the size of the United States or China.

Only about 25% of the Sahara is covered in sand dunes. The rest consists of rocky plateaus (hamadas), gravel plains (regs), mountains, and salt flats.

Daytime summer temperatures often exceed 40–50°C (104–122°F). The record high is 58°C (136°F) recorded in Libya. Nights can drop dramatically due to l

Some dunes (ergs) reach heights of 180 meters or more (up to ~430m in places). They create stunning "sand seas" shaped by wind.

Thousands of years ago (during the African Humid Period), the Sahara was a lush green savanna with lakes, rivers, and abundant wildlife. It cycles bet

The tallest peak is the extinct volcano Emi Koussi in Chad at 3,415 meters (11,204 ft). Snow has even been recorded in parts of the Sahara.

Home to ~70 mammal species (fennec fox, addax antelope, Saharan cheetah), 90+ birds, 100+ reptiles, and hardy creatures like silver ants that thrive i

Large areas receive less than 1 inch (25 mm) of rain per year. Some spots average near zero. Potential evaporation rates are extremely high.

The Tuareg and other nomadic peoples have lived in the Sahara for centuries, navigating with traditional knowledge, camels, and oases.

The Sahara has grown about 10% larger in the last century due to climate factors and is one of Earth's major sources of dust, which affects weather an