Sahara is the largest and hottest desert in the world, which is located in North Africa. Its name is derived from the Arabic word “سحراء (Sahra)”, which means “desert”. Sahara Desert is not just a hot and desolate place, but also an amazingly beautiful and mesmerizing landscape. To appreciate the beauty of this desert, it is important to see its colors, shapes, textures and changing scenery. This desert is a masterpiece of silent beauty, in which there is something new to see every time.
Total Area: Approx. 9.2 million square kilometers. Countries Covered: Sahara 11 African countries to spread – Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia and Western Sahara.
Landscape & Geography:
The Sahara is not just a desert of sand dunes, but has a very diverse landscape. Sand Dunes – Some dunes are as high as 180m (590 ft). Rocky Plateaus – Where there are areas with stones and rocks. Oasis (Nakhlistan) – Where underground water is found, where palm trees can grow. Dry Valleys & Plains – Some areas are completely barren and rocky.
Super Hot Days: Temperature can reach up to 58°C (136°F). Freezing Nights: Temperatures can drop below 0°C (32°F) at night. Very Less Rainfall: Only 25mm/year or less, making it one of the driest areas in the world.
Plants & Animals:
Plants that survive in dry climate are found like cactus, desert grass, palm trees. Camel – King of Sahara, who is an expert in desert survival. Fennec Fox – A small and cute fox, which is active at night. Saharan Cheetah – Rare and endangered species. Snakes & Scorpions – There are many poisonous species like desert viper.
Animals:
Plants & Trees:
Population: Mostly nomads live here, who shift from one place to another. Tribes: Famous tribes are Tuareg and Berber, which are the original people of Sahara. Cities & Towns: There are also some permanent settlements like Tamanrasset (Algeria) and Djanet (Libya).
Sahara Forest also about has some details recorded so it will be added in the next post.
