Kalahari Desert

Kalahari Desert

The Kalahari Desert is a large semi-arid sandy savannah in Southern Africa extending for 900,000 square kilometres, covering much of Botswana, parts of Namibia and regions of South Africa. It is not a desert in the strictest sense of the word, as it receives too much rainfall.

Geography

The Kalahari Desert is characterized by vast areas of red sand, without any permanent surface water. The desert is part of the 970,000-square-mile Kalahari Basin, which includes the Okavango River Delta and other areas. The surrounding Kalahari Basin covers over 2.5 million square kilometres extending farther into Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, and encroaching into parts of Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Climate

The Kalahari Desert has a semi-arid climate with huge variations in temperature and rainfall. The desert is well known for its extreme temperatures during both summer and winter. It can reach temperatures above 40 °C (104 °F) in the summer, and below freezing point during the winter.

Flora and Fauna

Despite its aridity, the Kalahari supports a variety of flora. The native vegetation includes acacia trees and many types of grasses. The desert is also home to a variety of wildlife, including the African Elephant, African Wild Dog, Cheetah, Leopard, Lion, Blue Wildebeest, Meerkat, several species of Antelope, and many types of birds and reptiles.

Human Inhabitants

The Kalahari Desert is home to several indigenous peoples, the most famous of which are the San People, often referred to as Bushmen. They have lived in the area for thousands of years and have adapted to the harsh conditions.

Economic Activity

The Kalahari Desert has significant deposits of diamonds, leading to growth in the mining industry. In addition, tourism is a growing sector, with eco-tourism becoming more popular.

See Also

• Deserts of Africa
• Geography of Botswana
• Geography of Namibia
• Geography of South Africa