Deserts

Deserts are arid regions that receive less than 250 millimetres of rainfall per year. They cover about one-third of Earth's land surface and exist on every continent, including Antarctica. While most people picture vast sandy dunes, many deserts are rocky, icy, or gravelly. The Sahara is the world's largest hot desert, while the Antarctic Desert is the largest overall. Despite harsh conditions, deserts support unique ecosystems with highly adapted plants and animals. Many ancient civilisations developed along desert-edge oases. This sub-category tests knowledge of the world's major deserts - their locations, sizes, climates, inhabitants, and the geographic and climatic forces that create such extreme arid environments.

This topic is part of Geography - use the map and continents tools below, then practice with flashcards and quizzes.