Sahara

From WikiMD's WELLNESSPEDIA

The Sahara is the largest hot desert and the third largest desert overall after Antarctica and the Arctic. Its area of 9,200,000 square kilometers is comparable to the area of China or the United States. The desert comprises much of North Africa, excluding the fertile region on the Mediterranean Sea coast, the Atlas Mountains of the Maghreb, and the Nile Valley in Egypt and Sudan. It stretches from the Red Sea in the east and the Mediterranean in the north to the Atlantic Ocean in the west, where the landscape gradually changes from desert to coastal plains. To the south, it is bounded by the Sahel, a belt of semi-arid tropical savanna around the Niger River valley and the Sudan Region of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Geography[edit]

The Sahara can be divided into several regions including: the western Sahara, the central Ahaggar Mountains, the Tibesti Mountains, the Aïr Mountains, the Ténéré desert, and the Libyan Desert. The highest peak in the Sahara is Emi Koussi, a shield volcano in the Tibesti range of northern Chad.

Climate[edit]

The Sahara's climate consists of basically two sub-climates, a dry subtropical climate in the north and a dry tropical climate in the south. The southern part of the Sahara is characterized by high temperatures that can exceed 50 °C (122 °F) while the northern part, due to its higher altitude, is a bit cooler.

Flora and Fauna[edit]

Despite the harsh conditions, several life forms have adapted to the extreme conditions of the Sahara. Some of the plant species in the Sahara include the Acacia tree, the date palm, and several species of cactus. Animal life includes the dromedary camel, the fennec fox, and the monitor lizard.

Human History[edit]

The Sahara has been inhabited by various human groups since prehistoric times. Occupying the Sahara has presented significant challenges to those living in its fringes since the climate is extremely dry and the vegetation sparse. Several cultures have developed and fallen in the Sahara.

See Also[edit]


Stub icon

This WikiMD article can only be edited by registered and verified editors. You can log in or register.

Sahara[edit]

Sponsored Health Resource

W8MD weight loss success

W8MD Weight Loss, Sleep & MedSpa

Looking for physician-supervised weight loss, semaglutide, tirzepatide, or GLP-1 receptor agonist options? W8MD helps eligible patients in New York City, Brooklyn, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and greater Philadelphia with medical weight loss, sleep medicine, and long-term maintenance support.

GLP-1 specials: Affordable GLP-1 injections NYC and Philadelphia starting from $29.99/week and up for semaglutide with insurance accepted for qualifying visits, and $45/week and up for tirzepatide with insurance accepted for qualifying visits. Self-pay options start from $59.99/week and up for semaglutide and $69.99/week and up for tirzepatide.

Book a W8MD appointment · View GLP-1 specials

Paid promotional message. Eligibility, pricing, insurance coverage, medication availability, and results vary. Medical evaluation required.

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Content may be inaccurate or outdated and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical decisions. Verify information with trusted sources such as CDC.gov and NIH.gov. By using this site, you agree that WikiMD is not liable for any outcomes related to its content. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Retrieved from "https://wikimd.org/index.php?title=Sahara&oldid=6631226"