World deserts

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Important notes x

This quiz contains a selection of deserts from around the world. The shapes have been simplified and the locations are approximate.

Use study mode to read about each desert.

Types of deserts:

Hot and dry (subtropical). Hot and dry deserts are typically very close to the equator. They are very hot during the day, but can be freezing at night because there are no clouds to hold the heat. The Sahara is the largest hot and dry desert in the world.
Semi-arid (cold-winter). Characterized by hot summers and extremely cold winters, they are found in high altitude plateaus or mountainous regions. Examples: The Great Basin, Colorado Plateau, Patagonian, Gobi, Taklamakan.
Coastal. Coastal deserts are on an ocean coast but don't receive much rain. Instead, the wind blows in fog, but it evaporates. By some definitions, coastal deserts are a sub-category of Semi-arid (cold-winter) deserts. The Atacama and the Namib deserts are exmaples coastal deserts.
Polar. Polar deserts are not true deserts as defined by the Köppen classification , but they are often considered deserts because of their low precipitation.

The largest deserts in the world:

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