By Jasreet Kaur12, Oct 2024 07:00 AMjagranjosh.com
Do you know?
When people think of deserts, they often imagine hot, sandy places. However, the largest desert on Earth is actually in Antarctica. Tap to read more.
Size
The Antarctic Desert is the largest desert in the world, covering around 14 million square kilometers. It is larger than the combined land area of many countries.
Low Precipitation
Deserts are defined by low precipitation, and Antarctica is a cold desert with very little moisture or rain. It receives less precipitation than many hot deserts.
Ice Desert
Although it is covered by ice, its extreme dryness and lack of rainfall make it a desert. The thick ice sheets disguise the desert-like conditions underneath.
Precipitation Level
Antarctica’s average annual precipitation is less than 200 millimeters, mostly in the form of snow. Most of the continent is too cold to support any liquid water.
Extreme Climate
It is one of the most extreme environments on Earth, with some of the coldest temperatures ever recorded. Wind speeds can also reach dangerous levels, adding to its harshness.
Inhabitation
Antarctica is mostly uninhabited, except for scientific research stations due to its harsh conditions. These stations are critical for studying global climate patterns.