Deserts in India and World – The most Important Deserts

Deserts in India and World

• A place that less than 10 inch (25 centimeters) of rain per year is considered desert. 
• Deserts cover more than 1/3 of the Earth’s land area and they are found on every continent.
• Types of deserts – Polar, Sub-tropical, Cold Winter, Coastal.

10 Largest Deserts of the World–

Rank	Desert	Continent / Region	Type	Area (Sq. km)
1	Antarctica Desert	Antarctica	Polar	1,42,00,000
2	Arctic	Arctic Region	Polar	1,39,00,000
3	Sahara Desert	Africa	Sub-Tropical	92,00,000
4	Arabian Desert	Middle East Region	Sub-Tropical	23,30,000
5	Gobi Desert	Asia	Cold Winter	12,95,000
6	Patagonian Desert	South America	Cold Winter	6,73,000
7	Great Victorian Desert	Australia	Sub-Tropical	6,50,000
8	Kalahari Desert	Africa	Sub-Tropical	5,60,000
9	Great Basin Desert	North America	Cold Winter	4,92,000
10	Syrian Desert	Middle East	Sub-Tropical	4,90,000

World Deserts

• Largest Desert on Earth – Antarctica Desert. 98% of Antarctica is covered by ice. The research stations scattered across the continent, the largest being ‘McMurdo Station’.
• Cold deserts of the World – Antarctica is the coldest desert in the world.
• Hot deserts of the World – The Lut Desert is the hottest desert in the world. But Sahara desert is the largest hot desert in the world. 
• Arctic Desert is the second largest desert on Earth. During the summer months Sun doesn’t sets for a period of 60 days.
• Sahara desert is the 3^rd largest desert overall. But it is the largest hot desert in the world. Speeded across 11 countries of Africa.
• Arabian dessert is the largest in Asia. World’s second largest subtropical desert.
• Gobi desert is the second largest desert in Asia. It is the largest Non-Polar cold desert. Location is China and Mongolia. Flow Yellow River through this.
• Patagonian Desert location is Argentina and Chile.
• Great Victorian desert is n Australia. This is a World Wildlife Fund Ecoregion.
• Kalahari desert location is Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. Famous for San people. Famous for diamond mining. Kalahari means great thirst. 
• Great Basin desert located in US. It is designated as International Dark Sky Park.
• Syrian desert located in Syria, Iraq and Jordan.

• Takla Makan Desert is the largest desert of China. It is also called the place of ruins or the sea of death.
• Dasht-e-lut desert and Dasht-e-kavir desert are located in Iran.
• ‘Karakum Desert located in Turkmenistan.
• Atacama Desert located in Chile. It is the driest desert in the world.
• Patagonia Desert located in Argentina.
• Simpson Desert located in Australia.
• Great Sandy Desert located in Australia.