Sahara desert: where is countries, temperature, animals and floods

The Sahara desert is located in North Africa and is so large that it occupies much of the map of this continent. It extends from the Atlantic Ocean, to the west, to the Red Sea, to the east, and from the Mediterranean Sea, to the north, to almost touch the Sub -Saharan Africa area in the south.

On the map, you can locate it as a huge yellow or beige strip that crosses several countries, including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad and Sudan. Together, it covers about 9 million square kilometers, which makes it the largest warm desert in the world.

In this other post you can find more information about the largest deserts in the world.

The Sahara desert is not limited to a single country, but extends throughout North Africa. In total, eleven countries cross partially or almost total, although there are areas in the limits that are changing. These are:

• Morocco – with desert areas in the south.
• Algeria – Much of its territory is covered by Sahara.
• Tunisia – its southern part is entered in the desert.
• Libya – almost all its interior is desert.
• Egypt – especially in the west and south of the country.
• Mauritania – Much of its surface is desert.
• Mali – especially in the north.
• Niger – Sahara occupies much of the territory.
• Chad – With the desert dominating the northern zone.
• Sudan – its northernmost part belongs to the Sahara.
• Western Sahara – Territory in dispute, covered almost entirely by the desert.

The Sahara desert climate is extremely arid. This means that the rains are very scarce and, in some areas, you can spend years without a single drop of water falling. When it rains, it is usually suddenly and briefly, which sometimes causes rapid floods instead of providing constant humidity. Here you can inform yourself about why it does not rain in the desert.

As for temperatures, Sahara is known for its contrasts. During the day, in summer, the thermometers can easily exceed 45 ° C, reaching more than 50 ° C. However, at night the situation changes radically: heat disappears and temperatures can descend to about 0 ° C, especially in winter.

This strong contrast between the scorching heat of the day and the night cold is due to the lack of clouds and vegetation, which in other places help maintain a more stable temperature. In addition, the Sahara receives a huge amount of solar radiation, which makes it one of the most sunny regions in the world.

In this link you will find more information about the desert climate: what is, characteristics, temperature, flora and fauna.

The Sahara desert flora is limited due to the hard climatic conditions, but that does not mean that the desert is completely empty of plant life. On the contrary, there are plants that have developed surprising adaptations to survive with very little water, support high temperatures and resist the strong winds that drag the sand. Many of them are essential not only for the ecosystem, but also for human communities living in this region.

Let’s see some of the most representative species:

Desert acacia

Acacias are resistant trees that grow in different areas of Sahara. They are distinguished by their twisted trunk and their small leaves, which reduce the loss of water. Its deep roots allow to reach underground sources of moisture, and also offer shade and wood to local populations.

Datilee palm

The Datilera palm is perhaps the most famous plant in Sahara, since it is grown in the oasis. Its fruits, dates, are a fundamental source of food for those who live in the desert. In addition, its leaves and trunks are used in the construction and elaboration of handicrafts.

Camel grass

It is a type of grass that grows in sandy and dry soils. It is popularly known as “camel grass” because it is a usual food for these animals, essential in desert life. Its ability to resist prolonged droughts makes it a key plant in the Saharan Flora.

Cactus and succulent

Although they are not as abundant as in other deserts, some species of cactus and succulents are in specific areas of the Sahara. These plants store water in their fleshy stems and leaves, which allows them to survive in long periods of drought.

In this link you can learn more about desert plants.

The Sahara desert fauna is as surprising as its flora, since it has managed to adapt to one of the most extreme environments on the planet. The animals that inhabit in this region have developed unique strategies to support the lack of water, the high temperatures of the day and the cold of the night. Some are nocturnal to avoid heat, while others store water or energy in their body to survive.

Let’s see some of the most representative animals:

Arabic camel or dromedary

Arabic camel is the Sahara’s par excellence symbol. His ability to store fat in the hump and resist several days without water makes it a fundamental ally of nomadic populations. In addition, you can travel long distances loading large weights under the scorching sun.

FENNEC OR DESERT FOOT

This little fox is famous for its great ears, which not only make it adorable, but also fulfill a vital function: dissipate body heat. The fennec is a night animal, which allows it to escape the high temperatures of the day, and feeds on insects, small rodents and fruits.

ADDAX (Desert Antílope)

ADDAX is an antelope adapted to life in Sahara. It can spend a lot of time drinking water, obtaining the necessary humidity of the plants it consumes. Unfortunately, it is in critical danger of extinction due to hunting and loss of habitat.

Desert beetle

Although it is not as striking as mammals, the desert beetle has an essential role in the ecosystem. Some species have developed the ability to collect dew water drops in your body, a key adaptation to survive in an environment with so little moisture.

Although it seems contradictory, there are floods in the Sahara desert, and occur due to the extreme characteristics of its climate and land. In this desert the rains are very scarce, but when they occur, they are usually sudden, intense and concentrated in a short time.

The Sahara floor, being so dry and compact, does not absorb water well. This causes that, instead of filtering, the water runs quickly through the surface, forming currents and accumulating in low areas. As a consequence, sudden floods are generated, also known as sudden avenues or floods.

These floods can have both positive and negative effects. On the one hand, they can destroy paths, affect the nomadic communities and endanger people and animals that are in the area. But, on the other hand, they are also a blessing for the desert ecosystem, since they allow the temporary appearance of vegetation, fill the oasis and facilitate that the fauna has access to water sources.

The Sahara desert plays a key role in the planet’s balance. Its sand storms transport millions of tons of nutrient rich dust, such as phosphorus, which fertilize soils and jungles in places as far away as the Amazon. In addition, it influences global climatic patterns, regulating atmospheric currents and temperatures. It is also important its biodiversity that, although adapted to extreme conditions, also provides ecological and cultural value.

Sahara faces several environmental and human threats.

• Climate change intensifies desertification and increases extreme temperatures. Here you can learn more about the effects of climate change.
• The overexploitation of aquifers and natural resources puts at risk the fragile biodiversity.
• In addition, the pressure of unregulated tourism, urban expansion and conflicts in some countries of the region aggravate the vulnerability of the ecosystem and the communities that depend on it.

If you want to read more articles similar to Sahara desert: where is, countries, temperature, animals and floods, we recommend that you enter our category of ecosystems.