Which desert is the largest hot desert in the world?

Question

Deserts cover nearly one-third of the Earth’s land area, and they come in many forms—cold deserts, coastal deserts, and hot deserts. But if we look only at hot deserts, one stands far above the rest in size and harshness. Which one is the largest?

Answer 1

The largest hot desert in the world is the Sahara Desert. It spans across 11 countries in North Africa and covers more than 9 million square kilometers. Contrary to popular belief, Sahara is not only made of sand dunes—most of it consists of rocky plateaus, gravel plains, dry valleys, and mountains.

Answer 2

The Sahara also experiences extreme temperatures: daytime highs can cross 50°C, while temperatures can drop below freezing at night. Scientists believe the Sahara has expanded over the centuries due to climate change and natural cycles. Its size makes it an important region for understanding global climate patterns.