Where are deserts located in the world?
The worlds deserts are generally found in four areas: in the subtropics; in continental interior areas at middle latitudes; on the leeward side of mountain ranges; and along coastal areas. Most of the earths greatest deserts are found in the subtropics. The majority of deserts are in the Arabian Peninsula, Australia, The Americas, North and South Africa, India, and Pakistan.
Desert climate
Deserts are characterized by extreme heat and dryness, very hot in the daytime and chilly or even cold in the night. The average temperature is 100 degrees during the day and below 50 degrees at night. The wettest desert gets no more than 10 inches of rain a year.
Characteristics of the desert
- Rainfall is usually very low and/or concentrated in short bursts between long rainless periods.
- Hot in the day
- Cold at night
Unique Qualities, Products of the desert
It's amazing that so many plants and animals can survive in the harsh desert climate. In order for an area of land to be considered a desert, it must receive less than 10 inches of water a year.The worlds largest desert is the Sahara Desert.