The Sahara
⭐ MasteredThe Sahara in Africa is the world's largest hot desert, almost as large as the USA. It has sand dunes, rocky plains and a few oases.
The Sahara was once green with grass and lakes.
All about The Sahara
The Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world, covering much of North Africa. It is almost as big as the United States. Although many people imagine endless sand, most of the Sahara is rocky plains, gravel and mountains, with sand dunes covering only a small share.
Life in the Sahara depends on oases, where underground water reaches the surface. People, camels and date palms gather around oases. Temperatures can be very hot in the day and cold at night, because the dry air holds little heat.
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Real-life uses of The Sahara
- Providing oil and gas reserves beneath the sand
- Supporting trade routes that once carried salt and gold
- Generating solar energy from strong sunlight
Frequently asked questions about The Sahara
Does it rain in the Sahara?
Rarely, and very little. Some parts can go years without any rain at all.
Is the Sahara getting bigger?
The edges of the Sahara shift from year to year depending on rainfall and land use, but overall it has been expanding in some areas.
What animals live in the Sahara?
Fennec foxes, addax antelope, scorpions, reptiles and various birds, many of which are active at night.