The desert is an inseparable part of nature dominated by sands. It is characterized as a flat land with a minimal or absolute absence of any plants or living organisms. Even though it might seem empty some plants and animals have acclimatized to the harsh conditions and can survive. It is not uncommon for rivers to flow without drying up but with some change in direction and volume.
It might seem unusual but some deserts are covered with snow which makes an excellent source of water for many living organisms. The largest desert on the Earth is the Sahara which is located in the northern part of Africa. In total, all deserts cover about 16.5 million square kilometers which are about 11% of all dry land. The most common locations for deserts are the North, subtropical and tropical belts of southern and northern hemispheres. The desert is characterized by a minimal amount of yearly water which is generally accepted to be less than 200 mm. Some regions have as little as 50 mm of water while the most extreme places do not have any water for years.
One of the key characteristics in the formation of deserts is the temperature and the distribution of heat versus water. Also, the geographical location and the specific zone of the planet play a significant role. The dry type of climate leads to the very low humidity of air which in turn, makes very poor protection of the surface from the sun’s radiation. The temperatures reach +50 degrees Celsius while the night temperature dramatically falls. It is not unusual for the temperature to drop below zero at night which makes the desert’s environment even more difficult to survive. Nonetheless, there are many types of animals and plants that have adapted to the driest environment. Insects, cacti, camels, kangaroos, and even bats can find food and water for survival. It is a well-known fact that many human civilizations have also adapted to the desert’s conditions and used it as a transit line.