Top 10 deserts of the world and World’s largest desert

Embark on a journey through the vast expanses of the Earth’s surface as we unveil the mysteries of the world’s largest desert and explore the top 10 deserts of the world. These magnificent landscapes, ranging from the icy stretches of the polar regions to the scorching sands of the tropics, represent some of the most extreme and fascinating environments on our planet. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the largest deserts in the world, uncovering their unique characteristics, the life they harbor, and the secrets they hold. Join us as we traverse these immense terrains, from the Antarctic’s icy wilderness, the world’s largest desert, to the arid expanses of the Sahara and beyond. Discover the beauty and diversity of the planet’s most awe-inspiring deserts.

This is an eye-opener moment for you as the answer is quite different from what you have been aware of till now. So, the Antarctic polar desert, with an area of 14,200,000 (km2) is the world’s largest desert, which is located in Antarctica. Many of us heard only of the Sahara desert but it is in 3rd place with an area of 9,200,000 (km2), and the second one is of Artic polar desert. This occupies the majority of Antarctica and is the world’s largest desert.  This one is wider than the Gobi Desert, Arabian Desert, and is the Sahara Desert altogether. It is almost 3 times the size of Europe.

World’s Largest Desert

Top 10 Deserts of the World

A polar desert is defined as a location with a maximum temperature mostly less than 10 degrees Celsius during the hottest month and yearly precipitation of fewer than 250 millimeters. Polar – deserts, these two words don’t seem to go together on the surface. Deserts, on the other hand, aren’t necessarily scorching hot. In actuality, the Arctic desert covers approximately 5,000,000 square kilometers. They’re only found in two places on the planet: the Arctic and Antarctica, and one might just see them on a polar excursion. The Arctic desert is located at the north pole, whereas the Antarctic desert is located at the south pole. There is no human settlement in this desert. Only bacteria, algae, and a few seals and penguins have been found to thrive in this environment. 

Top 10 Deserts of the World
S. No.	Name	Type	Location	Area (in sq. km)	Area (in sq. mi)
1	Antarctica Desert	Polar ice and Tundra	Antarctica	14,200,000	5,482,651
2	Arctic Desert	Polar ice and Tundra	Eastern Europe,Northern America, Northern Asia, Northern Europe	13,900,000	5,366,820
3	Sahara Desert	Subtropical	Eastern Africa,  Middle Africa,Northern Africa, Western Africa	9,200,000	3,552,140
4	Great Australian	Subtropical	Australia	2,700,000	1,042,476
5	Arabian Desert	Subtropical	Western Asia	2,330,000	899,618
6	Gobi Desert	Cold winter	Eastern Asia	1,295,000	500,002
7	Kalahari Desert	Subtropical	Southern Africa	900,000	347,492
8	Patagonian Desert	Cold winter	South America	673,000	259,847
9	Syrian Desert	Subtropical	Western Asia	500,000	193,051
10	Great Basin	Cold winter	North America	492,098	190,000

Why is it a Desert?

The average annual precipitation (rain, snow, mist, and fog) in an area defines a desert. A desert is a place that receives extremely little precipitation (the actual amount varies depending on who you ask). Deserts come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including subtropical, coastal, and polar deserts. They all share a desolate, windswept landscape that makes it hard for animals and plants to establish themselves on land. Over the last 30 years, the average annual rainfall at the South Pole has been a meager 10 millimeters (0.4 in). The majority of the continent is covered in wind-carved ice fields and jagged mountains encrusted with glaciers. While Antarctica has beautiful low-lying mosses and lichens, it only has two flowering plants that can withstand extreme circumstances. The majority of the creatures we see eat seafood, including penguins, seals, whales, and seagulls.

Properties of Polar Desert

Every year, deserts (polar) experience dry, cold, and snow seasons. The majority of these deserts are flat grasslands with features such as snow dunes and icebergs. In the north, icebergs are a common sight. Temperatures in polar deserts drops vary significantly. Throughout the year, they have chilly temperatures, with the hottest month with an average temperature of less than 10°C. Temperatures in the short summers range from 21°C to 26°C, while the snowy winters are bitterly cold, with temperatures ranging from -2°C to 4°C. The polar deserts receive an average of 250mm of rainfall each year, with the summer months seeing the most rain and the winter months seeing the most snowfall.

Land or an Ice Continent?

A permanent ice sheet covers approximately 98 percent of the Antarctica continent. This astounding 14 million km2 of ice is both beautiful and wild. That’s roughly the same size as both the United States and Mexico put together!
Antarctica’s ice is 4.5 kilometers thick at its deepest point. Global sea levels would rise by roughly 60 meters if it melted. That’s a significant amount of ice. It has taken 45 million years for that to expand to its present depth due to Antarctica’s arid conditions.

Antarctica, unlike the north pole, which is ice floating in the Arctic Ocean, has a landmass beneath it. Rocky topography with mountain ranges, canyons, and valleys lies beneath the perennial 1-2 mile thick snow. Antarctica’s average bed depth is 95 meters above sea level, although the deepest point beneath Byrd Glacier is 2,870 meters below sea level.

Criteria for Measuring Size of Largest deserts in the world

Measuring the size of a desert involves more than just assessing its geographical expanse. Researchers consider factors such as aridity, temperature variations, and overall ecosystem health. By examining these criteria, we can compile a list of the world’s largest deserts and gain insights into their individual characteristics.

1. Antarctica Desert

The Antarctica Desert is a vast and unforgiving landscape, located in the heart of the frozen continent. It is a land of extremes, where temperatures can plummet to -89°C (-128°F) and the wind can howl at speeds of over 200 kilometers per hour (124 miles per hour). Despite the harsh conditions, the Antarctica Desert is a place of incredible beauty and scientific importance. The vast ice sheet that covers the desert is a record of Earth’s climate history, and the unique plants and animals that have adapted to survive here provide clues about how life can thrive in even the most challenging environments.

2. Arctic Desert

Contrary to the traditional image of a desert, the Arctic, with its frozen landscapes, qualifies due to low precipitation levels. This icy desert, located around the North Pole, presents a breathtaking tableau of snow-covered plains and frozen seas. The Arctic’s designation as a desert underscores the diverse ways in which deserts manifest across the globe, challenging our perceptions of these arid environments.

3. Sahara Desert

The Sahara, the quintessential desert, holds the title as the largest hot desert in the world. Spanning North Africa, it covers a staggering 9.2 million square kilometers. The Sahara is renowned for its towering sand dunes, vast rocky plateaus, and occasional oases that serve as vital lifelines in this arid landscape. The golden hues of the Sahara at sunset paint a mesmerizing picture of one of the most iconic deserts on Earth.

4. Great Australian Desert

Encompassing vast regions of Australia, the Great Australian Desert is a mosaic of arid landscapes. Covering approximately 1.3 million square kilometers, it features sweeping sand dunes, salt pans, and unique flora and fauna adapted to the challenging conditions. The vastness of the Australian outback, with its harsh beauty, earns its place among the largest deserts globally.

5. Arabian Desert

Nestled in the heart of the Middle East, the Arabian Desert spans across several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. Covering around 2.3 million square kilometers, it is the fourth-largest desert. The Arabian Desert is characterized by vast sand seas, rocky plateaus, and a climate that ranges from scorching heat during the day to chilly nights.

6. Gobi Desert

Stretching across northern China and southern Mongolia, the Gobi Desert is a testament to the diversity of deserts. While it may not have the towering sand dunes of some counterparts, the Gobi is a cold desert with unique features like rocky landscapes, gravel plains, and occasional snowfall. Its vast expanse of 1.3 million square kilometers showcases the adaptability of life in extreme environments.

7. Kalahari Desert

In southern Africa, the Kalahari Desert reveals a different facet of arid environments. Covering parts of Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa, it spans approximately 900,000 square kilometers. Despite its relative aridity, the Kalahari supports a variety of plant and animal life, including iconic species like the oryx and meerkat. The red sands and expansive vistas make the Kalahari a jewel in the southern African landscape.

8. Patagonian Desert

Venturing into South America, the Patagonian Desert, also known as the Patagonian Steppe, spans Argentina and Chile. With its windy conditions and unique geological formations, it covers an area of around 673,000 square kilometers. The Patagonian Desert is a landscape of extremes, with vast plains, sculpted canyons, and the iconic Andes Mountains as a backdrop.

9. Syrian Desert

Rich in historical significance, the Syrian Desert spans parts of Syria, Iraq, and Jordan. While relatively smaller in size compared to other deserts on this list, its cultural and ecological importance cannot be understated. The Syrian Desert is a tapestry of ancient civilizations, with archaeological sites and historical landmarks dotting its arid expanse.

10. Great Basin

Completing our list is the Great Basin, a high desert region in the United States. Encompassing parts of Nevada, Utah, Oregon, and Idaho, it spans approximately 492,000 square kilometers. The Great Basin’s unique topography includes mountain ranges, salt flats, and expansive valleys, making it a diverse and captivating desert landscape in North America.

Before Being the ‘Antarctic Desert’

Antarctica was formerly part of Gondwana, a supercontinent that included India and Africa. The Earth was hotter back then, and Antarctica was teeming with flora and creatures. The Lambert Glacier in Antarctica has the record holder for being the world’s longest glacier8, yet this was previously a level area drained by meandering rivers before glaciers formed and cut deep basins. The Antarctic Peninsula was one of the world’s fastest warming regions.

Conclusion – World’s largest desert

In conclusion of World’s largest desert, the revelation that the Antarctic polar desert surpasses the Sahara in size is a profound insight. The stark contrast between our perception and reality underscores the importance of understanding Earth’s diverse landscapes. With its extreme climate and vast icy expanse, Antarctica challenges conventional notions of deserts. As we explore the Top 10 deserts of the world, we gain deeper insights into their unique characteristics and the criteria used to measure them. Despite their harsh conditions, deserts are invaluable ecosystems that warrant our attention and protection in the face of environmental challenges.

Top 10 Deserts of the World – FAQs

What is the world’s largest desert?

The Antarctic Desert is the world’s largest desert, covering approximately 5.5 million square miles.

Are the Arctic and Antarctic considered deserts?

Yes, both the Arctic and Antarctic are considered deserts due to their extremely low humidity and precipitation, making them the largest cold deserts in the world.

What is the largest hot desert in the world?

The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world, spanning approximately 3.5 million square miles across North Africa.

Can you list the top 10 largest deserts in the world?

The top 10 largest deserts include the Antarctic, Arctic, Sahara, Arabian, Gobi, Kalahari, Patagonian, Great Victoria, Syrian, and Great Basin Deserts.

What makes a desert a ‘desert’?

A desert is defined by its dry conditions, receiving less than 10 inches of precipitation annually, and can be either hot like the Sahara or cold like Antarctica.

Are there any deserts in Europe?

Europe has semi-arid regions, but it does not have deserts on the scale of those found in Africa, Asia, or the Americas.

How does climate change affect deserts?

Climate change can lead to desert expansion through desertification, affecting ecosystems, wildlife, and human settlements near desert margins.

What is the smallest desert in the world?

The Carcross Desert in Yukon, Canada, often considered the smallest desert in the world, is actually a series of northern sand dunes covering a small area of just about 1 square mile.

Why is Antarctica considered a desert?

Despite being covered in ice, Antarctica is considered a desert because it receives only about 2 inches of precipitation per year, making it the driest continent.

What are the main threats to desert ecosystems?

Main threats include climate change, water extraction, mining, and land use changes that lead to habitat destruction and biodiversity loss.