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Which Is the Largest Desert on Earth?
geographyscience
Quick Answer
Antarctica is the largest desert, receiving less than 200 mm of precipitation per year.
The Full Story
By the geographic definition of a desert (a region receiving less than 250 mm of precipitation annually), Antarctica is the largest at about 14.2 million square kilometres. It receives an average of about 166 mm of precipitation per year, mostly as snow. The Arctic polar desert is the second largest at roughly 13.9 million sq km. The Sahara (about 9.2 million sq km) is the largest hot desert. Antarctica's ice sheet holds about 70 % of the world's freshwater, yet the air above it is extremely dry.
Key Facts
1.Antarctica's Dry Valleys receive almost no precipitation and have not seen rain for about 2 million years.
2.The Sahara was green and lush as recently as 5,000 years ago.
3.About one-third of Earth's land surface is classified as desert.
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"The Biggest Desert Isn't Hot — Why Antarctica Qualifies"