What are the largest deserts in the world by area in 2024?.

The largest deserts in the world by area are essential geographical features that cover vast regions of the Earth. The top five deserts, ranked by area, include the Antarctic Desert, Arctic Desert, Sahara Desert, Arabian Desert, and Gobi Desert.

Key Facts

• Antarctic Desert: Covers approximately 14 million square kilometers (5.5 million sq mi).
• Arctic Desert: Spans around 13.9 million square kilometers (5.4 million sq mi).
• Sahara Desert: The largest hot desert, with an area of about 9.2 million square kilometers (3.6 million sq mi).
• Arabian Desert: Approximately 2.33 million square kilometers (900,000 sq mi).
• Gobi Desert: Covers about 1.3 million square kilometers (500,000 sq mi).

Examples or Use Cases

These deserts play crucial roles in climate regulation, biodiversity, and the study of ecosystems. For example, the Sahara affects weather patterns in Europe and Africa, while the Antarctic Desert is key to understanding climate change.

FAQs

• What defines a desert? A desert is typically defined by its low precipitation, with most receiving less than 250 mm (10 in) of rainfall annually.
• Are all deserts hot? No, deserts can be hot (like the Sahara) or cold (like the Antarctic).