Where is the world’s largest desert by area?

The world’s largest desert by area is the Antarctic Desert, covering approximately 14 million square kilometres (5.4 million square miles). Despite its cold environment, it is classified as a desert because of its low precipitation levels, receiving very little moisture each year. The desert’s ice sheets contain about 60% of the world’s fresh water. Antarctica’s harsh conditions, extreme cold, and isolation make it a challenging environment for most life forms, though certain species, such as penguins and seals, have adapted to survive there.