Countries with the largest desert areas in the world
Deserts cover nearly one-third of the Earth’s land surface, stretching across continents and shaping the climate, culture, and ecosystems of many countries. From the vast Sahara in Africa to the cold Gobi in Asia, deserts present some of the planet’s most extreme and fascinating landscapes.
Algeria has the largest desert area of any country, with nearly 80% of its land covered by the Sahara Desert. The Sahara in Algeria spans about 1.4 million square kilometers, making it the biggest desert portion within a single country. The desert landscape influences Algeria’s climate, economy (oil and gas), and culture.
Saudi Arabia is home to the Arabian Desert, covering around 2.3 million square kilometers, including the Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter) – the world’s largest continuous sand desert. The desert experiences some of the hottest temperatures globally and has vast sand dunes and salt flats. It is a key area for oil extraction and has unique desert ecosystems.
Each contain vast stretches of the Sahara Desert, with desert areas exceeding one million square kilometers in both countries. This makes them two of the largest holders of Sahara land, featuring endless sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and arid plains. The desert significantly influences their climate, economy, and culture, shaping traditional lifestyles and modern industries such as oil production.
China contains the Gobi Desert (approx. 1.3 million sq km) and the Taklamakan Desert, covering large parts of its northwest. The Gobi is a cold desert, with harsh winters and hot summers. These deserts affect regional climate, agriculture, and ancient trade routes like the Silk Road.
Mongolia’s Gobi Desert covers about 1.3 million square kilometers, making it one of the largest deserts in the world. Unlike typical hot deserts, the Gobi experiences cold and dry conditions, with harsh winters and significant temperature fluctuations between day and night. Its unique climate supports specialized wildlife and has historically been an important region for trade and cultural exchange along the ancient Silk Road.
About 18% of Australia is desert, with major deserts like the Great Victoria, Great Sandy, and Simpson covering over 1.2 million square kilometers combined. The Australian Outback is known for its arid climate and unique wildlife adapted to harsh conditions. Desert regions are important for mining and indigenous cultures.
The US has several deserts including the Mojave, Sonoran, and Great Basin, together covering around 650,000 square kilometers. The Mojave Desert is home to Death Valley, the hottest place in North America. These deserts are known for their diverse plant and animal life, including iconic cacti and desert tortoises.
Argentina is home to the Patagonian Desert, the largest desert in South America. Covering approximately 670,000 square kilometers, it stretches across the southern part of the country. Known for its arid climate and sparse vegetation, the Patagonian Desert features vast plains, rocky outcrops, and unique wildlife adapted to its harsh conditions.
