Deserts
⭐ MasteredDeserts get very little rain: less than 25 cm a year. Some, like Antarctica, are cold. The Sahara is the biggest hot desert.
Antarctica is technically the largest desert on Earth.
All about Deserts
A desert is a dry region that receives very little rain, generally less than 25 cm a year. Many deserts are hot, like the Sahara, but some are cold, like Antarctica, which is the largest desert on Earth.
Desert plants and animals have adapted to survive with little water. Cacti store water in their stems, camels can go a long time without drinking, and many desert animals are active at night when it is cooler.
Deserts can have sand dunes, rocky plains or salt flats. Plants and animals in deserts have special features that help them save water.
The Sahara in Africa is the biggest hot desert in the world. Deserts can also change over time as the wind moves sand around.
🎮 Try it yourself!
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👀 What the animation shows
This animation shows sand being blown across a desert, forming dunes. Watch how the wind moves the sand slowly, changing the shape of the land over time.
Real-life uses of Deserts
- Hosting solar power plants because of the strong sunshine
- Supporting special wildlife and plant species
- Attracting tourists to sand dunes and desert landscapes
Frequently asked questions about Deserts
Is a desert always sandy?
No. Many deserts are rocky, stony or covered in gravel. Sand dunes make up only a small part of most deserts.
Which is the largest hot desert?
The Sahara in North Africa is the largest hot desert in the world.
Why is Antarctica a desert?
Deserts are defined by how little precipitation they receive, not by heat. Antarctica receives very little snow, so it is classed as a desert.