Major Cold Deserts of Africa

People think that Africa has no cold deserts but it is only a myth. The continent of Africa does have some significant cold deserts which offers lesser temperatures in land of scorching heat. Africa's largest cold deserts serve as a display for the variety of terrain found there, from sweltering hot sands to freezing alpine highlands. They serve as a reminder that there are various temperatures and habitats inside Africa's deserts, each with its own appeal and biological value.

Here are the features of major cold deserts of Arica −

Richtersveld Desert

The Richtersveld is a region in South Africa's Northern Cape province. It extends from Alexander Bay in the west to Vioolsdrif in the east, and from Steinkopf and Port Nolloth in the south to the Orange River in the north. The region is thought to be the most pristine (or unspoiled) wilderness in South Africa. It is a piece of the broader Namaqualand region, which stretches into Namibia to the north.

The Richtersveld receuves less than 3 inches (7 centimetres) of rain fall on average every year. Summertime highs of 122 °F (50 °C) are possible. It can get chilly during the winter, especially at night. The Richtersveld National Park is located near the Orange River's final bend before it empties into the ocean. In 1991, the park was established. It is a component of the bigger Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, which is located in Namibia to some extent. In the distant past, the San inhabited the region.

The Nama inhabited the area more than 1,000 years ago. The Khoekhoe ethnic group is composed of the Nama. In the 1800s, Europeans began exploring the region. They gave the place its name in honour of the 1840s missionary Reverend W. Richter. Diamonds were discovered nearby the coast in the early 1900s. In June 2007, UNESCO designated the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape as South Africa's eighth World Heritage site.

Brandberg Mountain Range

• Brandberg, commonly known as Mount Brand, is a granite massif and one of Namibia's tallest mountains. It is located in the northern part of the Namib desert. The name Brandberg, which translates to Burning Mountain in Afrikaans, Dutch, and German, refers to the mountain's occasionally visible blazing colour in the setting sun. The Herero name for the peak, Omukuruvaro, translates as "mountain of the Gods," while the Damara name for the mountain, Dâures, means "burning mountain." Brandberg Mountain, which has a surface area of roughly 650 km², is situated in the old Damaraland, now Erongo, in the northwest Namib Desert, close to the coast.

• The elevation of its highest peak, Königstein, which is also the highest point in the entire nation, is more than 8,200 feet (2,500 meters). Prehistoric rock art, including sculptures and paintings, is abundant at Brandberg. The White Lady, one of these, is particularly well-known. The region is renowned for its many unique species and high biodiversity. At nearby Uis, significant tin reserves have been discovered. Additionally, the Brandberg is home to some fascinating desert plants. The area around the mountain is no exception to Damaraland's reputation for its bizarre euphorbias and aloes. Due in part to the harsh climatic circumstances, the region features a large number of plants and trees that look alien

Aïr Mountains

• The Air Mountains, also known as the Air Mountain, are a triangular mountain that may be found in northern Niger, in the Sahara. The Air plateau, which is located in the middle of a desert north of the 17th parallel and has an average elevation of 500–900 m (1,600–3,000 ft), creates an island of Sahel climate that is home to a diverse range of life, numerous pastoral and farming communities, and striking geological and archaeological sites. They cover an area of 84,000 km² and reach to a height of more than 1,800 m (5,900 ft), making up a part of the West Saharan montane xeric woods ecoregion. Once present in this area, the endangered African wild dog may now be extinct as a result of pressure from the growing human population.

• The Air mountains itself are made up of nine nearly circular massifs that rise from a rocky plateau and are flanked to the east by the Ténéré Desert's sand dunes and plain. The massif is a plateau made up of Precambrian metamorphic rocks with a sub-Cambrian age erosion surface. A succession of flat-topped granite intrusion peaks, including Mont Idoukal-n-Taghès, Niger's highest point at 2022 m, punctuate the massif. In the Air mountains, more than 430 different vascular species have been identified thus far. The Saharan Flora and the Sahelian Flora are connected by the Air, which is situated as the southern extension of the Hoggar mountain range.

High Atlas Mountains

• The High Atlas, also known as the Grand Atlas, is the tallest portion of the Atlas Mountains and is located in central Morocco, North Africa. The range includes Jbel Toubkal, the highest mountain in the group at 4,167 m (2.589 mi; 13,671 ft), which is located in Toubkal National Park. The range divides the Sahara from the Mediterranean and continental zones to the north and west and acts as a weather system barrier in Morocco. It runs east-west.

• Regular snowfall on the massif's upper peaks makes winter sports possible. In the High Atlas, snow typically covers the northern sides of the mountain until late spring. One of Morocco's three primary ski resorts is Oukameden, located in the Western High Atlas.

List of Major Cold Deserts of Africa

Here is a table listing the major cold deserts of Africa, along with their locations and extent −

Desert	Location	Extent
Richtersveld Desert	South Africa, Namibia	Approximately 5,000 km²
Brandberg Mountain Range	Namibia	Not applicable
Aïr Mountains	Niger	Approximately 840,000 km²
High Atlas Mountains	Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia	Approximately 15,000 km²

Conclusion

Contrary to popular assumption, Africa also has a sizable number of chilly deserts, despite being known for its blistering hot deserts. Examples include the High Atlas Mountains, Brandberg Mountain Range, Ar Mountains, and Richtersveld Desert. These chilly deserts display Africa's varied topography, which ranges from icy alpine mountains to parched regions.

They serve as distinctive habitats with their own ecological value and offer a dramatic contrast to the sweltering deserts of the continent. Visitors can explore and take in the variety of temperatures and habitats available inside Africa's cold deserts, which are a tribute to the continent's geographical diversity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there cold deserts in Africa?

Yes, Africa is home to major cold deserts such as the Richtersveld Desert, Brandberg Mountain Range, Aïr Mountains, and High Atlas Mountains.

What is the extent of the Richtersveld Desert?

The Richtersveld Desert spans approximately 5,000 square kilometers, stretching from Alexander Bay in the west to Vioolsdrif in the east.

Where is the Brandberg Mountain Range located?

The Brandberg Mountain Range is situated in the northern part of the Namib Desert in Namibia.

What is the significance of the Aïr Mountains?

The Aïr Mountains, located in Niger, create an island of Sahel climate in the desert and host diverse life forms, pastoral communities, and remarkable geological and archaeological sites.

Where are the High Atlas Mountains located?

The High Atlas Mountains, the tallest part of the Atlas Mountains, can be found in central Morocco, North Africa, and include the highest peak in the range, Jbel Toubkal.

What makes Africa's cold deserts unique?

Africa's cold deserts offer a contrasting environment to the continent's hot deserts, showcasing diverse landscapes and climates. They provide habitats for unique flora and fauna and are an important part of Africa's geographical and ecological diversity.