Facts About the Desert

September 21, 2012 | In: Geography Facts

About one third of  Earth’s surface is covered by deserts. In desert regions we generally find big differences in temperature from day to night.

Deserts are areas that receive very little rainfall, about 250 mm per year. Deserts have a reputation for supporting very few life forms, although a more careful comparison with a moist environment, life in the desert are often varied and generally remain hidden during the day time to preserve moisture. The lack of vegetation in a desert, is because of the lack of water or the lack of heat necessary to sustain life, in the arctic regions.

Sandy deserts
The top layer consists of sand, dominated by quartz sand, which was formed by erosion, mainly due to the action of wind that formed sand dunes which can be moving. Living conditions in these regions are harsh.

Gravel deserts
In this case, the top layer is made of stone blocks or rocks, rocks results in cracking caused by high temperatures and frost.

Ice deserts
Ice deserts can be found in the polar regions or high mountains where low temperature prevented the development of vegetation. Ground water is removed by freezing, precipitation falls as solid (snow).

Salt deserts
Ware born in arid regions where salt was formed ??by evaporating water in which was dissolved.

The List of Top 20 largest deserts in the world

1. The Antarctic Desert has 5.5 million km² and is located in Antarctica.
2. The Arctic Desert has 5.4 million km² and is located on a territory that spreads across Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia.
3. The Sahara Desert has 3.5 million km² and is located in North Africa.
4. The Arabian Desert has 1 million square km and is  located in the Arabian Peninsula
5. The Gobi Desert has 500,000 km² and is located in China and Mongolia.
6. The Patagonian Desert has 260.000 km² and is located in Argentina.
7. The Great Victoria Desert has 250.000 km² and is located in Australia.
8. The Kalahari Desert has 220.000 km² and is located in South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia.
9. The Great Basin Desert has 190.000 km² and is located in The United States of America.
10. The Thar Desert has 175.000 km² and is located in India and Pakistan.
11. The Chihuahuan Desert has 175.000 km and is located in Mexico.
12. The Great Sandy Desert has 150.000 km² and is located in Australia.
13. The Karakum Desert has 135.000 km² and is located in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
14. The Colorado Plateau Desert has 130.000 km² and is located in The United States of America.
15. The Gibson Desert has 120.000 km² and is located in Australia.
16. The Sonoran Desert has 120.000 km² and is located in The United States of America and Mexico.
17. The Kyzyl-Kum Desert has 115.000 km² and is located in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.
18. The Taklamakan Desert has 105.000 km² and is located in China.
19. The Iranian Desert has 100.000 km² and is located in Iran.
20. The Simpson Desert has 56.000 km² and is located in Australia.