The largest hot desert on the planet is not only a harsh, desolate place, but also holds many interesting secrets.
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| The Sahara has a surface area of 9.4 million square kilometers, accounting for 1/4 of Africa. However, this is not the largest desert in the world. In fact, the Sahara is only the 3rd largest, after Antarctica and the Arctic. Photo: Geography. |
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| The Sahara is expanding. Since 1962, the desert has expanded by nearly 650,000 square kilometers. Parts of the Sahara are shared by 11 countries: Libya, Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Chad, Morocco, Eritrea, Niger, Mauritania, Mali, and Sudan. Photo: Science News. |
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| About 4,000 years ago, this was still a fertile area with many species of flora and fauna. However, the Earth's tilt angle changes from 22.1 degrees to 24.5 degrees in a 41,000-year cycle (currently 23.44 degrees and decreasing), making this area arid. Photo: Ancient Code. |
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| To this day, parts of the Sahara remain fertile. Underground rivers flowing from the Atlas Mountains (such as Siwa, Kufra, Timimoun and Bahariva) rise to the surface, creating lush oases. Photo: Dualwarez. |
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| In fact, this desert has up to 207,200 km2 of oases (about 2% of the area). Another part is made fertile by the floods from the Nile River. Photo: Reference |
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| With an area equivalent to the United States - which has a population of 300 million people, the Sahara is home to only two million people. Photo: Healthy Travel Blog. |
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| Most of them are nomadic, such as the Tuareg tribe or the “Blue Men of the Sahara” with their striking blue costumes. Photo: Eupedia. |
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| From December to January, nighttime temperatures in the Sahara regularly drop below freezing. Some dunes can be covered in snow. Photo: Independent. |
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| The Sahara's record high temperature was recorded in Azizia, Libya, in 1922, reaching 57.7 degrees Celsius. Photo: HeritageDaily. |
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| Most of us think of the Sahara as endless sand dunes. In southern Libya, these dunes can reach up to 180 metres high. Photo: World Insight. |
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| However, this famous desert also has sand seas, gravel plains, rocky plateaus, valleys, salt flats, mountains, rivers, streams... The Sahara is only 30% sand. Photo: Traveler Corner. |
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| The Marathon des Sables in the Sahara takes place in southern Morocco every April. Competitors must register years in advance, at a cost of $4,500. The race lasts seven days, covering 240km through sand dunes and rocky plateaus. Competitors must bring their own equipment for the race. Photo: Pinterest. |
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| The Sahara has more than 20 lakes, mostly saltwater. Chad is the only freshwater lake here. Photo: Never Ever Seen Before. |
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| Many plant species have adapted to the harsh Saharan climate. Some have developed long roots to tap underground water. Photo: Travel HD. |
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| Some emerge quickly after rain, flowering and seeding shortly before the soil dries out. The new seeds can lie in the dry soil for years, waiting for the next rain to germinate. Photo: The View from Fez. |
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| Desert animals are also capable of surviving without water for days. Photo: Pinterest. |
According to Zing
