Top 10 Largest Deserts in the World

Deserts are vast, often inhospitable regions that make up a significant portion of Earth's surface. These arid landscapes, known for extreme temperatures and low rainfall, exist across all continents and offer unique ecosystems adapted to their harsh climates. While some deserts are barren and sandy, others consist of rock, gravel, or even ice. This ranking covers the ten largest deserts in the world, focusing on their total surface area. Notably, cold deserts like the Antarctic and Arctic regions are among the largest, underscoring the diversity within these regions. This list ranks the top ten deserts by their surface area, covering details about their location, type (hot or cold), and remarkable features. From sandy dunes to icy plains, these deserts represent the incredible adaptability of life and the planet’s climatic diversity.

Antarctic Desert

Rank: 1

Area: 14000000 km²

The Antarctic Desert, covering a staggering 14 million square kilometers, is the world’s largest desert by surface area. This cold desert, consisting almost entirely of ice and snow, receives minimal precipitation, classifying it as one of the driest regions on Earth. Antarctica's average temperature in winter can drop to -60°C, and despite the extreme conditions, it is home to resilient wildlife, including penguins, seals, and unique microorganisms. Scientists from various countries maintain research stations to study its unique climate and ecosystems, as well as its impact on global weather patterns.

Did you know? Antarctica contains about 60% of the world’s fresh water in the form of ice.

Arctic Desert

Rank: 2

Area: 13985000 km²

The Arctic Desert is nearly as vast as Antarctica, encompassing the polar regions around the North Pole. This frigid desert spans parts of Canada, Greenland, Russia, and Norway. Characterized by extreme cold and long, dark winters, the Arctic supports species uniquely adapted to its environment, such as polar bears, arctic foxes, and caribou. The icy landscape consists of tundra and ice-covered ocean, with melting sea ice drawing global attention due to climate change.

Did you know? The Arctic Desert experiences 24 hours of daylight in the summer and complete darkness in winter.

Sahara Desert

Rank: 3

Area: 9200000 km²

The Sahara Desert, the largest hot desert on Earth, stretches across North Africa, covering about 9.2 million square kilometers. Known for its iconic golden dunes, rocky plateaus, and sparse oases, the Sahara experiences extreme temperatures that can reach 50°C during the day and drop sharply at night. It supports hardy plants like cacti and acacias and animals such as camels and fennec foxes. With ancient history and trade routes, the Sahara remains culturally and economically significant.

Did you know? The Sahara was once a fertile grassland before climate shifts turned it into a desert thousands of years ago.

Arabian Desert

Rank: 4

Area: 2330000 km²

Covering much of the Arabian Peninsula, the Arabian Desert spans around 2.3 million square kilometers. It features vast sand seas, including the Rub' al Khali or "Empty Quarter," the largest continuous sand desert globally. With intense heat and scarce water sources, the desert supports a limited but unique range of wildlife, including oryx and Arabian camels. The region’s sand dunes and rock formations make it a place of striking beauty and harsh conditions.

Did you know? The Arabian Desert's Rub' al Khali dunes can reach heights of 250 meters.

Gobi Desert

Rank: 5

Area: 1295000 km²

The Gobi Desert spans about 1.3 million square kilometers across northern China and Mongolia. Known for its temperature extremes, the Gobi can be scorching hot in the summer and freezing in winter. Unlike most deserts, the Gobi is rocky rather than sandy and is famous for its dinosaur fossils. It supports various species, including Bactrian camels and snow leopards, adapted to its unique climate.

Did you know? The Gobi Desert can experience snow due to its elevation and colder winter temperatures.

Kalahari Desert

Rank: 6

Area: 900000 km²

The Kalahari Desert is a semi-arid region covering approximately 900,000 square kilometers across Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Known for its red sand and seasonal rainfall, the Kalahari supports more life than typical deserts. Unique animals, such as meerkats, lions, and springboks, inhabit this landscape. The San people, who have historically lived in the Kalahari, rely on traditional survival skills suited to the region’s challenging conditions.

Did you know? The Kalahari Desert occasionally transforms into lush grasslands after heavy rains.

Patagonian Desert

Rank: 7

Area: 670000 km²

The Patagonian Desert in Argentina is the largest desert in South America, covering about 670,000 square kilometers. This cold desert is largely composed of gravel and shrubland rather than sand. The Andes mountains create a rain shadow effect, making it one of the driest regions in Argentina. Despite its arid environment, the Patagonian Desert supports a variety of wildlife, including guanacos, armadillos, and condors.

Did you know? Patagonia experiences some of the world’s most intense wind speeds due to its open, flat landscape.

Syrian Desert

Rank: 8

Area: 520000 km²

The Syrian Desert spans roughly 520,000 square kilometers across Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Known for its arid plains and rugged terrain, this hot desert is both a natural barrier and an area rich in historical significance, with ancient ruins such as Palmyra. The desert landscape supports resilient plants like tamarisk and several animal species adapted to the harsh conditions.

Did you know? The Syrian Desert has been a trade route since ancient times, connecting Mesopotamia with the Mediterranean.

Great Victoria Desert

Rank: 9

Area: 348750 km²

Australia’s largest desert, the Great Victoria Desert, covers 348,750 square kilometers and spans South Australia and Western Australia. Characterized by sand dunes, salt lakes, and rocky plains, it is home to diverse flora and fauna, including various marsupials and reptiles. Indigenous communities have lived here for thousands of years, adapting to the harsh climate. The desert also contains deposits of uranium and other minerals.

Did you know? The Great Victoria Desert receives infrequent rainfall but can experience thunderstorms over 15 times a year.

Great Basin Desert

Rank: 10

Area: 492000 km²

The Great Basin Desert, covering approximately 492,000 square kilometers, is the largest desert in the United States. This cold desert spans Nevada, Utah, and portions of Oregon and California. Characterized by its sagebrush-covered plains and mountain ranges, the Great Basin Desert supports species like the pronghorn and sage grouse. Its unique high-altitude climate brings snowy winters, making it distinct from other North American deserts..

Did you know? The Great Basin Desert is a "cold desert" due to its high elevation and colder climate.