Largest Desert in the World: The Surprising Science Behind Antarctica’s Record-Breaking Landscape

A Glimpse of the Largest Desert in the World

If you think a desert is defined by the presence of sand or high temperature, you are wrong. It is actually defined by very low precipitation. So, by this definition, Antarctica is the largest desert in the world, and it is almost completely covered by ice. Actually, the Antarctic interior gets very little precipitation, making it a polar desert.

Some of the features of the Antarctica desert are:

1. Area: The continent covers roughly 14 million square kilometres, making the Antarctic desert significantly larger than the Sahara, which covers 9.2 million square kilometres.
2. Weather: Antarctica  sees extreme cold, strong winds, high elevation, and is extremely dry. Surprisingly, the continent is also home to the McMurdo Dry Valleys, one of the driest environments on Earth.
3. Visiting requirements: If you want to visit Antarctica, it requires careful planning because of its extreme weather, remote location, and limited tourist season.

Is Antarctica Really a Desert?

It might come as shocking information that Antarctica is a desert because when you hear the word “desert”, you might imagine golden dunes, scorching temperatures, and an almost completely barren landscape. And Antarctica is the opposite of all those assumptions.

As the largest desert, Antarctica is covered largely by ice and snow. What makes it a desert is not its temperature but its lack of precipitation.

Keep in mind: If you thought the Sahara was the largest desert in the world, the correct fact would be Sahara is the world’s largest hot desert, “hot” being the keyword to keep in mind.

How Large Is the Antarctic Desert?

Antarctica is huge. It covers 14 million square kilometres. For context, it is larger than Europe  and roughly one and a half times the size of the United States .

The list of the top 5 biggest deserts in the world is:

Antarctica vs Sahara: Which Is Bigger?

Many may think that the Sahara  is the biggest desert in the world, but this is technically incorrect if polar deserts are included.

The McMurdo Dry Valleys: Antarctica’s Extreme Desert

One of the most fascinating areas of the Antarctic desert is the McMurdo Dry Valleys.

These are located in Victoria Land and are almost free of permanent snow and ice in many places. Here you will mostly see exposed rock, gravel, and frozen lakes.

The two main reasons for extreme dryness in this region are:

• Surrounding mountains
• Powerful winds that descend from the high interior and strip moisture from here

Fun Fact: Do you know that Antarctica can probably never get a heat wave? The reason is that it is located at the South Pole, which is colder than the North Pole. Antarctica is also surrounded by water on all sides, and this does not block the winds, making them strong.

Is There Wildlife in Antarctica?

Hearing about Antarctica’s extreme environment, you may think there would be no wildlife, but that is far from the truth. The biggest desert of the world supports diverse wildlife, especially around the coast and the Southern Ocean.

Some of the animals associated with the Antarctic region are:

1. Emperor penguins
2. Adélie penguins
3. Chinstrap penguins
4. Weddell seals
5. Leopard seals
6. Crabeater seals
7. Antarctic fur seals
8. Southern elephant seals
9. Several species of seabirds

Keep in mind: Antarctica’s interior is much less hospitable. So, most Antarctic wildlife depends directly or indirectly on marine ecosystems, as food is considerably more abundant here.

Does It Ever Snow in Antarctica?

Snowfall in Antarctica varies enormously from one region to another.

For instance, the coastal regions generally receive more precipitation than the high interior area. The snowfall overall is not that heavy, but over long periods, small amounts of snowfall accumulate and become compressed into ice. This process has helped create the enormous Antarctic ice sheet.

What is Antarctica’s Climate?

Antarctica is the coldest continent on Earth, but the degree of coldness varies significantly between the coast and the interior.

Here’s more information on it:

Can You Visit the Largest Desert in the World?

Yes, you can visit Antarctica, but it’s different from visiting other places. So, most expeditions take place in the Antarctic summer, broadly from November to March. This is because days are longer, and the cold is bearable.

You have to take a cruise for this journey, and cruises typically depart from southern South America , particularly Ushuaia in Argentina , before crossing the Drake Passage towards the Antarctic Peninsula.

Fun fact: The Drake Passage is one of the roughest stretches of ocean on Earth. This passage is the narrowest place where the waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern Oceans can circulate Antarctica without being blocked by land.

Tourism is mainly limited to coastal landscapes, islands, and the Antarctic Peninsula.

What Can You Do in Antarctica?

Depending on the expedition and conditions, activities in Antarctica  may include:

1. Zodiac boat excursions
2. Wildlife watching
3. Penguin colony visits
4. Kayaking
5. Scenic cruising
6. Photography
7. Shore excursions
8. Snowshoeing
9. Taking the polar plunge
10. Camping in Antarctica on selected expeditions

Pro tip: Antarctic weather can change rapidly, and this is why activity schedules are flexible.

What to Pack for Antarctica?

You need to pack smartly and properly for the Antarctica desert. Here’s a quick guide:

Pro tip: Many expedition operators give or recommend specific outerwear and waterproof equipment, so do check it with them.

Best Time to Visit Antarctica

The ideal time to visit Antarctica is when the Southern Hemisphere sees summer. More details are as follows:

Important Travel Tips For Antarctica

Antarctica is a remote place. So whenever you visit there, you must do it smartly with proper planning.

Below are some tips that you should keep in mind while planning an expedition to Antarctica:

1. Choose an experienced expedition operator for the best and safest experience.
2. Follow your expedition guide’s instructions at all times. Do not try to do something the guide has asked you not to do.
3. Always read the operator’s safety and medical requirements carefully.
4. Follow all wildlife-distance rules, and never approach or feed animals.
5. Do not remove rocks, fossils, or other natural objects from their place.
6. Do not litter at all. Keep all waste with you.
7. Be flexible with your plans and prepare well for itinerary changes.
8. Carry suitable travel insurance to safeguard yourself from unnecessary financial expenses, theft, luggage loss, or anything else.
9. Protect your camera and electronics from moisture. You can carry a waterproof pouch for them.

Keep in mind: Given the remoteness and fragile nature of the Antarctic environment, responsible tourism is essential to ensure that increasing tourism does not damage the ecosystems.

Fascinating Facts About Antarctica You Should Know

Below are some facts that explain why Antarctica is such an extraordinary desert:

1. Antarctica is the biggest desert in the world.
2. It is also the coldest continent on Earth.
3. Antarctica contains most of the world’s freshwater ice.
4. The McMurdo Dry Valleys, located in Antarctica, are among the driest environments on Earth.
5. Antarctica’s wildlife is concentrated primarily around the coast and Southern Ocean.
6. Antarctica sees extreme seasonal variations in daylight.

Why Antarctica Is the World’s Most Surprising Desert?

The only reason Antarctica, as the largest desert in the world, seems abrupt is the idea of desert people have in their minds. This continent is covered by ice, sees some of the coldest temperatures on the planet, and contains enormous glaciers.

Uniquely, it is all these characteristics that help explain its classification. See, a desert is fundamentally defined by a lack of precipitation, not by heat nor sand.

Once you understand this, Antarctica’s status as the biggest desert in the world becomes clear. Antarctica is huge, receives exceptionally low precipitation, and sees extreme cold and dry weather.

FAQs

Some of the most commonly asked questions about the largest desert are:

What is the largest desert in the world?

Antarctica is the largest desert in the world when polar deserts are included. It covers approximately 14 million square kilometres.

Is Antarctica bigger than the Sahara Desert?

Yes, by area, Antarctica is bigger than the Sahara. Antarctica covers roughly 14 million square kilometres, and the Sahara covers approximately 9.2 million square kilometres. The Sahara is the world’s largest hot desert.

Why is Antarctica considered a desert?

Antarctica is regarded as a desert because it receives extremely little precipitation, particularly in its interior.

Is the Antarctic desert completely lifeless?

No, it is not. Interestingly, Antarctica supports wildlife such as penguins, seals, and seabirds. The extreme interior is where life is far less visible.

What is the largest hot desert in the world?

The Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world.