A desert is defined not by temperature but by its extremely low annual precipitation. This means that both freezing polar regions and scorching hot sandscapes can qualify as deserts. As of 2025, these are the largest deserts on Earth, categorized by their climatic types: polar, subtropical (hot), and cold winter deserts.
Here is the Top 10 Biggest Deserts in the World (2025) article in a detailed tabular format, including desert name, type, area, location, and key features:
Top 10 Biggest Deserts in the World (2025) – By Area and Type
Rank | Desert Name | Type | Area (km²) | Location | Key Features |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Antarctic Desert | Polar | 14,200,000 | Antarctica | Coldest and driest continent; strong katabatic winds; home to penguins, seals; holds 70% of Earth’s freshwater in ice |
2 | Arctic Desert | Polar | 13,900,000 | Greenland, Canada, Russia, Norway, Alaska | Permafrost, polar bears, arctic foxes, migratory birds; rapidly melting due to climate change |
3 | Sahara Desert | Subtropical (Hot) | 9,200,000 | North Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Libya, etc.) | Largest hot desert; sand dunes, oases, extreme heat; ancient trade routes and archaeological significance |
4 | Australian Desert Region | Subtropical | 2,700,000 | Central and Western Australia | Includes Great Victoria, Simpson, Gibson deserts; red sands; native wildlife; deep Aboriginal cultural ties |
5 | Arabian Desert | Subtropical (Hot) | 2,330,000 | Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, etc.) | Rub’ al Khali (Empty Quarter); oil reserves; shifting dunes; extremely arid conditions |
6 | Gobi Desert | Cold Winter | 1,295,000 | Northern China, Mongolia | Cold, rocky terrain; low rainfall; snow leopards, camels; important fossil discoveries; historic Silk Road routes |
7 | Kalahari Desert | Semi-arid/Subtropical | 900,000 | Botswana, Namibia, South Africa | Not a true desert (slightly higher rainfall); grasses, shrubs; home to San people; lions, meerkats, antelope |
8 | Patagonian Desert | Cold Winter | 673,000 | Argentina (South America) | Also known as Patagonian Steppe; cold winds, rocky plains; unique fauna like guanacos and armadillos |
9 | Syrian Desert | Subtropical (Hot) | 500,000 | Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia | Rocky and lava-filled terrain; ancient trade corridor; now linked to oil exploration |
10 | Great Basin Desert | Cold Winter | 492,000 | Western United States (Nevada, Utah, Oregon, California) | Largest desert in the U.S.; high elevation; sagebrush plains; snow in winter; contains Death Valley and salt flats |
Desert Types Explained
- Polar Deserts: Extremely cold, icy regions with minimal precipitation
- Subtropical (Hot) Deserts: Characterized by high temperatures and very little rain
- Cold Winter Deserts: Feature low winter temperatures and semi-arid to arid climates
- Semi-arid/Subtropical Deserts: Transitional zones with slightly more rainfall and some vegetation
1. Antarctic Desert
Type: Polar
Area: Approximately 14,200,000 square kilometers
The Antarctic Desert is the largest desert on Earth, covering the entire continent of Antarctica. Although it is covered in snow and ice, it receives extremely low amounts of precipitation, typically less than 50 millimeters per year, which qualifies it as a true polar desert.
The climate here is dry, icy, and extremely windy, with average winter temperatures plunging below minus 60 degrees Celsius. Despite its harsh conditions, the Antarctic ecosystem supports penguins, seals, and microbial life under the ice. The continent also stores 70 percent of the world’s fresh water, locked in its glacial ice sheets.
2. Arctic Desert
Type: Polar
Area: Approximately 13,900,000 square kilometers
Ranking just below Antarctica, the Arctic Desert spans parts of Greenland, Canada, Russia, Norway, and Alaska. It is characterized by permafrost, extremely cold temperatures, and a short summer season that barely thaws the icy ground.
This desert region is home to polar bears, arctic foxes, and various species of migratory birds. The Arctic is also facing significant environmental threats due to rapid climate change, causing ice melt and shifting ecosystems.
3. Sahara Desert
Type: Subtropical (Hot)
Area: Approximately 9,200,000 square kilometers
The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world, stretching across much of North Africa, from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Red Sea in the east.
It spans multiple countries including Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Chad, Mali, and Niger. The Sahara features iconic sand dunes, stone plateaus, and rare vegetation near oases. Temperatures in summer can soar to 50 degrees Celsius. Despite the heat, the desert is rich in archaeological history, including ancient cave art and trade routes.
4. Australian Desert Region
Type: Subtropical
Area: Approximately 2,700,000 square kilometers
The desert regions of Australia include the Great Victoria Desert, Gibson Desert, Simpson Desert, and Great Sandy Desert. These deserts collectively form one of the largest arid zones in the southern hemisphere.
Located in the central and western parts of the country, these areas are known for red sands, spinifex grasses, and unique wildlife like kangaroos and desert lizards. They are also deeply tied to Aboriginal culture, with ancient traditions and rock art linked to the land.
5. Arabian Desert
Type: Subtropical
Area: Approximately 2,330,000 square kilometers
Covering most of the Arabian Peninsula, the Arabian Desert extends through Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and parts of Jordan and Iraq. It includes the Rub’ al Khali, or Empty Quarter, one of the driest and most inhospitable places on Earth.
The Arabian Desert has dramatic sand dunes, rock outcrops, and extreme daily temperature shifts. Despite its harsh environment, it plays a crucial role in global energy, sitting atop vast oil reserves and hosting many of the world’s largest petroleum fields.
6. Gobi Desert
Type: Cold Winter
Area: Approximately 1,295,000 square kilometers
Located in northern China and southern Mongolia, the Gobi Desert is a cold desert where winter temperatures can drop below minus 40 degrees Celsius. It is known for its rocky terrain, sand dunes, and historic Silk Road trade routes.
Unlike typical sandy deserts, the Gobi is covered in bare rock and gravel. It supports hardy plant life and rare animals like snow leopards and Bactrian camels. The desert is also rich in dinosaur fossils, making it a key site for paleontological research.
7. Kalahari Desert
Type: Subtropical to Semi-Arid
Area: Approximately 900,000 square kilometers
The Kalahari Desert spans Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. It is a semi-arid sandy region with more rainfall than true deserts, allowing for some grass and shrub vegetation.
It is home to the San people (Bushmen), who have lived traditionally in this environment for thousands of years. The Kalahari supports large populations of lions, meerkats, and antelope, making it ecologically richer than most other deserts.
8. Patagonian Desert
Type: Cold Winter
Area: Approximately 673,000 square kilometers
Also known as the Patagonian Steppe, this is the largest desert in South America, located primarily in Argentina. The Patagonian Desert is bordered by the Andes Mountains to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
This desert is characterized by cold winds, low rainfall, and rocky plains. Vegetation is sparse but includes hardy shrubs, and wildlife includes guanacos and armadillos. Its unique combination of cold climate and dryness gives it a distinct ecosystem.
9. Syrian Desert
Type: Subtropical
Area: Approximately 500,000 square kilometers
The Syrian Desert stretches across parts of Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. It is largely barren, with extensive lava fields and gravel plains.
Historically, it served as a trade corridor between Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean. Modern developments have led to the expansion of oil exploration in the region. It remains one of the more understudied deserts, with limited flora and fauna.
10. Great Basin Desert
Type: Cold Winter
Area: Approximately 492,000 square kilometers
The Great Basin Desert is located in the western United States, mainly in Nevada, Utah, and parts of Oregon and California. It is the largest desert in the US.
Unlike subtropical deserts, the Great Basin has cold winters and high elevation, with snowfall in winter. Its landscape includes salt flats, sagebrush, and mountain ranges, creating a variety of microclimates. Notable features include Death Valley and Lake Bonneville’s ancient shoreline.