Sahara

SubtropicalAfrica
LocationNorth Africa
Area9,200,000 km2
ContinentAfrica
TypeSubtropical

About Sahara

The largest hot desert. Almost as large as the United States. Summer highs regularly exceed 45C. Was green and lush 5,000 years ago with hippos and crocodiles. Its highest dunes, in Algeria's Erg Tiffernine (Issaouane), reach about 400 m, though taller dunes exist in China's Badain Jaran. Over 2.5 million people live here. The Sahara expands 48 km per year southward.

Related Deserts