When people hear the word desert, they often imagine endless sand dunes, scorching heat, and camels walking under a blazing sun. However, deserts are far more diverse and fascinating than that image suggests. A desert is defined not by temperature, but by low precipitation—areas that receive very little rainfall each year. Because of this, some of the world’s largest deserts are actually cold and icy, not hot.
In this article, we’ll explore the 20 largest deserts in the world, ranked by total area. You’ll discover deserts made of ice, rock, and sand, and learn where they are located and what makes each one unique.
1. Antarctic Desert (Antarctica)
Area: ~14.2 million sq km
The largest desert in the world is not hot at all. The Antarctic Desert covers the entire continent of Antarctica. It receives less than 200 mm of precipitation annually, mostly in the form of snow. Despite being covered in ice, it qualifies as a desert due to its extremely dry climate. Temperatures here can drop below −80°C, making it one of the harshest environments on Earth.
2. Arctic Desert (Arctic Region)
Area: ~13.9 million sq km
The Arctic Desert spans parts of Greenland, Canada, Alaska, Russia, and Scandinavia. Like Antarctica, it is a cold desert with very low rainfall. The landscape consists of ice sheets, glaciers, and frozen tundra. Life here is limited but includes polar bears, Arctic foxes, and hardy vegetation.
3. Sahara Desert (Africa)
Area: ~9.2 million sq km
The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world. It stretches across North Africa, covering parts of 11 countries. Known for its massive sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and extreme heat, the Sahara can reach daytime temperatures above 50°C. Despite its harshness, it is home to nomadic tribes and unique wildlife.
4. Arabian Desert (Middle East)
Area: ~2.33 million sq km
Located in the Arabian Peninsula, this desert covers much of Saudi Arabia and parts of neighboring countries. The Arabian Desert is famous for the Rub’ al Khali (Empty Quarter)—the largest continuous sand desert in the world. Oil-rich regions coexist with vast stretches of uninhabited land.
5. Gobi Desert (Asia)
Area: ~1.3 million sq km
The Gobi Desert spans northern China and southern Mongolia. Unlike sandy deserts, the Gobi is mostly composed of rock and gravel. It experiences extreme temperature changes, from hot summers to freezing winters. Historically, it played a major role in the Silk Road trade routes.
6. Kalahari Desert (Africa)
Area: ~900,000 sq km
The Kalahari Desert stretches across Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Though technically a semi-desert, it receives slightly more rainfall than typical deserts. It supports diverse wildlife, including lions, meerkats, and elephants, and is home to the indigenous San people.
7. Patagonian Desert (Argentina)
Area: ~673,000 sq km
The largest desert in South America, the Patagonian Desert lies in Argentina’s rain-shadow region east of the Andes Mountains. Strong winds, dry conditions, and cold temperatures define this desert. It consists mainly of gravel plains and sparse vegetation.
8. Great Victoria Desert (Australia)
Area: ~647,000 sq km
The Great Victoria Desert is Australia’s largest desert. It features sand dunes, grasslands, and salt lakes. Despite its harsh conditions, it supports various reptiles and small mammals. Parts of the desert are protected as conservation areas.
9. Syrian Desert (Middle East)
Area: ~520,000 sq km
Spanning Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, the Syrian Desert is mostly rocky and gravelly. It has been historically important for ancient trade routes and early civilizations.
10. Great Basin Desert (USA)
Area: ~492,000 sq km
The Great Basin Desert is the largest desert in the United States. Located between the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains, it is a cold desert with snowy winters. Sagebrush dominates the landscape, and temperatures vary dramatically by season.
11. Chihuahuan Desert (USA & Mexico)
Area: ~450,000 sq km
The Chihuahuan Desert stretches across northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. It is one of the most biologically diverse deserts, featuring hundreds of plant species, including agave and cacti.
12. Karakum Desert (Turkmenistan)
Area: ~350,000 sq km
The Karakum Desert covers most of Turkmenistan. Its name means “Black Sand.” The desert is known for extreme summer heat and the famous Darvaza Gas Crater, often called the “Door to Hell.”
13. Taklamakan Desert (China)
Area: ~337,000 sq km
One of the largest sandy deserts in the world, the Taklamakan lies in China’s Xinjiang region. It is extremely dry and dangerous, with ancient travelers calling it a place “you can enter but never leave.”
14. Great Sandy Desert (Australia)
Area: ~284,000 sq km
Located in Western Australia, the Great Sandy Desert is characterized by red sand dunes and spinifex grass. Indigenous Australians have lived in this region for thousands of years.
15. Sonoran Desert (USA & Mexico)
Area: ~260,000 sq km
The Sonoran Desert is one of the hottest deserts in North America and is famous for its saguaro cactus, which can grow over 12 meters tall. It has two rainy seasons, making it surprisingly rich in plant life.
16. Thar Desert (India & Pakistan)
Area: ~200,000 sq km
Also known as the Great Indian Desert, the Thar lies between India and Pakistan. Unlike many deserts, it is densely populated and supports agriculture through irrigation and monsoon rains.
17. Gibson Desert (Australia)
Area: ~156,000 sq km
The Gibson Desert is a remote and sparsely populated area in central Australia. It features gravel plains, sand ridges, and salt lakes, with extreme heat and minimal rainfall.
18. Atacama Desert (Chile)
Area: ~105,000 sq km
The driest non-polar desert in the world, the Atacama Desert receives almost no rainfall in some areas. Parts of it resemble the surface of Mars and are used by scientists to test space equipment.
19. Namib Desert (Africa)
Area: ~81,000 sq km
The Namib Desert is one of the oldest deserts on Earth, estimated to be over 55 million years old. It features towering sand dunes along the Atlantic coast and unique wildlife adapted to fog-based moisture.
20. Dasht-e Kavir (Iran)
Area: ~77,600 sq km
Also known as the Great Salt Desert, Dasht-e Kavir is characterized by salt flats, mud flats, and extreme heat. It is one of Iran’s most inhospitable regions.
Final Thoughts
Deserts cover nearly one-third of Earth’s land surface, playing a crucial role in the planet’s climate and ecosystems. From frozen polar landscapes to scorching sand seas, deserts are far more complex and diverse than they appear.
Understanding the world’s largest deserts not only expands our geographical knowledge but also helps us appreciate how life adapts to even the harshest environments on Earth.
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