Sahara
Sahara (səˈhɑːrə)
The Sahara is the largest hot desert and the third largest desert overall after Antarctica and the Arctic. Its area of 9,200,000 square kilometers is comparable to the area of China or the United States.
Etymology
The name 'Sahara' is derived from the Arabic word for desert, "ṣaḥra" (صحرا).
Geography
The Sahara covers large parts of Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Western Sahara, Sudan, and Tunisia. It covers 9 million square kilometers, amounting to 31% of Africa.
Climate
The Sahara's climate is one of the harshest in the world. It is characterized by extremely high temperatures, high winds, and very little rainfall. The average annual rainfall varies from very low (in the northern and southern fringes) to nearly non-existent (in the central Sahara).
Flora and Fauna
Despite the harsh conditions, a variety of flora and fauna thrive in the Sahara. These include the Saharan Cypress and the Saharan Myrtle, the Addax (a large white antelope), the Dorcas Gazelle, and the Dama Gazelle.
Human Habitation
The Sahara has been inhabited by various human groups since prehistoric times. Occupying the Sahara are several ethnic groups, including the Tuareg, the Toubou, the Nubians, the Zaghawa, and the Kanuri.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Sahara
- Wikipedia's article - Sahara
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