What is the largest desert in the world?

The largest desert in the world is Antarctica, covering approximately 14 million square kilometres (5.4 million square miles). Although it is primarily known for its ice and snow, Antarctica qualifies as a desert because it receives very little precipitation, often less than 50 millimetres (2 inches) annually. The Sahara Desert in Africa is the largest hot desert, covering about 9.2 million square kilometres (3.6 million square miles). Both deserts are extreme environments, supporting only specially adapted plants and animals. Antarctica, however, plays a critical role in regulating Earth’s climate and contains about 70% of the planet’s freshwater.