Synopsis

Deserts constitute roughly one-fifth of the Earth's surface. These arid regions are defined by their scarcity of precipitation, whether in the form of rain or snow, resulting in exceptionally dry conditions. Spanning vast expanses, deserts dominate considerable landmasses. The Sahara, the largest of these, stretches from North Africa into Southwest Asia, encompassing an area thirteen times that of Texas. In some locales within the Sahara, annual rainfall amounts to as little as 2 millimeters (0.