Antarctica Is the Largest Desert on Earth

Antarctica is officially the world's largest desert, covering 14 million square kilometers - larger than the Sahara Desert and all other hot deserts combined. A desert is defined by low precipitation, not temperature, and Antarctica receives less than 200mm (8 inches) of precipitation annually, mostly as snow. The interior of Antarctica is extremely dry, with some areas receiving no precipitation for millions of years. The Dry Valleys region has humidity levels lower than the Atacama Desert and has been ice-free for over 8 million years. Despite containing 70% of the world's fresh water in the form of ice, Antarctica's air is so dry that it rapidly dehydrates exposed skin and lungs. The continent's desert classification highlights how climate and weather patterns, not just temperature, determine environmental classifications. This polar desert has unique ecosystems adapted to extreme cold and dryness.