The Largest Desert on Earth Is Antarctica

When we picture a desert, images of scorching sun and endless sand dunes often come to mind. The defining characteristic of a desert, however, is not heat but a profound lack of precipitation. This is why the coldest, iciest continent on Earth holds the title of the world's largest desert. The vast, high-altitude interior of Antarctica is so dry that it receives less than 50 millimeters of precipitation annually. This meager amount, which falls as fine ice crystals rather than rain, is comparable to the driest parts of the Sahara, officially classifying Antarctica as a polar desert.

The extreme cold is the primary reason for this aridity. Frigid air can hold very little moisture, and a persistent high-pressure system