Published on: 2026-06-18
Unusual Geography and Earth Science
Which of these unique locations technically qualifies as a desert based purely on the scientific definition of low annual precipitation?
Correct
Many think deserts need sun and sand, but science says it is all about the lack of rain or snow. Antarctica is officially the largest desert on Earth because it gets so little snowfall that it stays bone-dry. The Sahara is the most famous hot desert, but it is actually only the third largest overall. The Gobi is a classic rain shadow desert, and the Atacama is famous for being incredibly dry, but neither holds the title for the largest frozen desert spanning the entire southern continent.