Major Hot Deserts of Africa

Because of its typical geographical location, Africa has various major hot deserts which have vast expanse of varied landscapes. The immensity and harshness of these deserts, which are renowned for their intense heat and scant precipitation, are breathtaking. These dry locations offer a glimpse into the untainted attractiveness and adaptability of desert ecosystems, from the vast Sahara Desert, which stretches across several nations in North Africa, to the mesmerizing Namib Desert along the southwest coast.

Features of Major Hot Deserts of Africa

Here are the features of major hot deserts of Africa −

The Sahara Desert

• The Sahara Desert is situated on the continent of Africa.

• Sahara Desert surrounds the large portions of Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Western Sahara, Sudan, and Tunisia.

• It is the largest hot desert in the world and the third-largest desert overall with an area of 9,200,000 square kilometers, second only to the deserts of Antarctica and the northern Arctic in size.

• From the Red Sea in the east, the Mediterranean in the north, and the Atlantic Ocean in the west, the region progressively transitions from desert to coastal lowlands.

Kalahari Desert

• In Southern Africa, there is a sizable sandy savanna known as the Kalahari Desert.

• The 900,000 square kilometer Kalahari Desert spans most of Botswana, as well as portions of Namibia and South Africa.

• The Tswana word Kgala, which means "the great thirst," or Kgalagadi, which means "a waterless place," is the source of the English word Kalahari.

• The Kalahari has extensive stretches of red sand that are devoid of any ongoing surface water.

Karoo Desert

• South Africa's Karoo is a natural semi-desert area.

• In addition to its topography, geology, and climate, the Karoo is well known for its minimal rainfall, dry air, clear skies, and extremes of heat and cold.

• The Great Karoo and the Little Karoo are two distinct regions of the Karoo. The Outeniqua-Langeberg Mountains, which run east-west parallel to the coast, and the Swartberg Mountain Range, which also runs east-west, separate the Little Karoo in the south and north, respectively. Swartberg is located to the north of the Great Karoo.

• A well-preserved ecosystem that existed in the Karoo hundreds of millions of years ago is also now represented by numerous fossils.

Danakil Desert

• In northeast Ethiopia, southern Eritrea, and northwest Djibouti, there is a desert called the Danakil Desert.

• Its location is in the Afar Triangle.

• It encompasses an area of 136,956 square km.

• The region is well-known for its volcanoes and intense heat, with daytime highs of over 50 °C.

• Several lakes have developed in the Danakil Desert as a result of lava flows that blocked up several valleys. One of these is Lake Afrera, the banks of which are covered in a thick layer of salt.

Chalbi Desert

• Northern Kenya contains a small desert called the Chalbi Desert.

• Chalbi translates as "bare, salty area" in the Gabbra language.

• A remarkable gem, the Chalbi Desert is found in Marsabit County to the east of the well-known Lake Turkana.

• Between Mount Marsabit and Lake Turkana is the Chalbi Desert.

• It extends to the border of Ethiopia.

• The Chalbi Desert, one of Kenya's hottest and driest regions, with an area of 100.000 km².

Namib Desert

• Southern Africa's Namib is a coastal desert.

• The term Namib is of Khoekhoegowab (or Nama language) origin, and it has been said that it means both "vast place" and "an area where there is nothing" in separate contexts.

• The Namib extends southward from the Carunjamba River in Angola, through Namibia, and to the Olifants River in the Western Cape of South Africa, covering a distance of more than 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) along the Atlantic coasts of Angola, Namibia, and South Africa.

Nyiri Desert

• Southern Kenya is home to the Nyiri Desert, also known as The Nyika, Taru Desert, and Taru Desert.

• It is situated between the Amboseli, Tsavo West, and Nairobi National Parks in south-central Kenya, east of Lake Magadi.

• It is located close to Tanzania's northern border and roughly 50 miles (80 km) east of Lake Magadi.

• The Nyiri Desert covers a large amount of Kajiado County's land area. The rain shadow cast by Mount Kilimanjaro is what makes it so dry.

• The Amboseli National Park, which includes the northern part of Lake Amboseli, is surrounded by desert.

Grand Bara Desert

• Southern Djibouti is home to the Grand Bara, commonly known as Bara Wein or Bada Wein.

• Large sand flats make up the majority of it, along with scant semi-desert, desert, and scrub flora.

• The Ethiopian xeric grasslands and shrublands ecoregion includes the Grand Bara.

• The Petit Bara and Grand Bara are the charred remains of former lakebeds.

Guban Desert

• Northwest Somaliland is referred to as The Guban by its native inhabitants.

• Its name translates to "Burned" Guban, and it refers to a coastal plain in northwest Somalia that stretches for about 150 miles (240 km) between Seylac (Zeila) in the west and Berbera in the east, parallel to the Gulf of Aden.

• From around 35 miles (56 km) in the west to about 4 miles (6 km) in the east, the Guban plain gradually becomes smaller.

The Lompoul Desert

• The French name for the Lompoul desert is désert de Lompoul, however it is also occasionally written Lumpoul.

• It is a tiny (18 km²) desert that is 145 km south of Saint-Louis.

• It is distinguished by orange sand dunes that resemble the Sahara and Mauritania's landscapes more than those of Senegal's immediate surroundings.

• A music festival called "Festival du Sahel" has been held there every year since 2009.

List of Major Hot Deserts of Africa

Here is a table of major hot deserts in Africa, including their location and extent −

Desert	Location	Extent
Sahara Desert	Northern Africa	Approx. 9,200,000 sq km
Kalahari Desert	Southern Africa	Approx. 900,000 sq km
Karoo Desert	Southwestern Africa	Approx. 400,000 sq km
Danakil Desert	Northeastern Africa	Approx. 136,000 sq km
Chalbi Desert	Northern Kenya	Approx. 100,000 sq km
Namib Desert	Namibia, Angola	Approx. 81,000 sq km
Nyiri Desert	Tanzania, Kenya	Approx. 33,800 sq km
Grand Bara Desert	Djibouti	Approx. 1,000 sq km
Guban Desert	Northwestern Somalia	Approx. 20,000 sq km
Lompoul Desert	Senegal	Approx. 18 sq km

Conclusion

Africa's deserts are notable not just for their harsh environments but also for their rich cultural legacy and the wildlife and vegetation that have adapted to thrive in these difficult surroundings. Africa's deserts provide an insight into the adaptability of both plants and animals, as well as a deeper comprehension of the complex balance of life in difficult circumstances. There is more to Africa's largest hot deserts than just great swaths of sand and intense heat. They exude a particular appeal and intrigue that captures the mind.

These desolate areas are evidence of nature's resiliency and the persistence of life. Despite the fact that they stand in stark contrast to the lush vegetation normally associated with Africa, they possess a certain allure that attracts adventurers and explorers from all over the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which one is the largest hot desert in Africa?

The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in Africa and the world, covering approximately 9,200,000 square kilometers.

Where is the Kalahari Desert located?

The Kalahari Desert is located in Southern Africa, spanning most of Botswana, as well as portions of Namibia and South Africa.

What is unique about the Karoo Desert?

The Karoo Desert in South Africa is a natural semi-desert known for its minimal rainfall, clear skies, extremes of heat and cold, and rich fossil record.

Where can I find the Danakil Desert?

The Danakil Desert is located in northeast Ethiopia, southern Eritrea, and northwest Djibouti. It is known for its volcanoes and intense heat.

What is the extent of the Namib Desert?

The Namib Desert stretches along the Atlantic coasts of Angola, Namibia, and South Africa, covering a distance of more than 2,000 kilometers.

What is the Nyiri Desert also known as?

The Nyiri Desert is also known as The Nyika, Taru Desert, and Taru Desert. It is located in southern Kenya, east of Lake Magadi.

Where is the Grand Bara Desert located?

The Grand Bara Desert is situated in southern Djibouti and is characterized by large sand flats and semi-desert vegetation.

What is the Guban Desert?

The Guban Desert is a coastal plain in northwest Somalia, stretching between Seylac (Zeila) and Berbera along the Gulf of Aden.