Deserts

Why is Antarctica classified as a desert?

Due to its lack of precipitation despite being covered with solid water.

What is the tallest mountain in Antarctica?

Vinson Massif in the Ellsworth Mountains.

Which explorer was the first to reach the South Pole?

Roald Amundsen in 1911.

What significant event happened to Robert Scott at the South Pole?

He reached the South Pole a month after Amundsen but died on the return trip.

What is the Sahara Desert known for?

It is the world's second largest desert and the largest hot desert.

What geographic features bound the Sahara Desert?

The Atlas Mountains to the north and the Sahel to the south.

What are the dominant landforms in the Sahara Desert?

Rocky regions (hamada), sand seas (ergs), salt flats (shatt), and dry river valleys (wadi).

What is the Atacama Desert famous for?

Being the driest hot desert in the world due to the rain shadow of the Andes.

What historical conflict was centered around the Atacama Desert?

The War of the Pacific (1879-1883) over control of nitrate resources.

What is notable about the Kalahari Desert?

It is a large region with red sand and large game reserves, not all of which is arid.

Which peoples are native to the Sahara Desert?

The Berber and Tuareg peoples.

What is the Mojave Desert known for?

Containing Death Valley, the lowest and driest point in North America.

What is the Gobi Desert's significance in history?

It played a role in the Silk Road trading route.

What does the name 'Rub' al-Khali' mean?

It means 'Empty Quarter' in English.

What is the Namib Desert known for?

Its bizarre Welwitschia and medicinal Hoodia plants, and being the oldest desert in the world.

What are the dimensions of the Painted Desert?

7,500 square miles, located in Northern Arizona.

What is unique about the Taklamakan Desert?

It is an extremely cold, sandy desert that splits the Silk Road into branches.

What is the Great Sandy Desert?

Part of the Western Desert in Australia, it is the ninth largest desert in the world.

What mineral deposits are notable in the Kalahari Desert?

Notably uranium.

What is the area of the Sahara Desert?

3.5 million square miles.

What is the area of Antarctica?

5.4 million square miles.