1. Immense Size: The Sahara is the world's largest hot desert, covering an area of approximately 9.2 million square kilometers (3.6 million square miles). It stretches across several North African countries, including Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, and Tunisia.
2. Extreme Temperatures: The Sahara is known for its scorching temperatures, which can reach up to 57°C (135°F) in the summer. Due to its location near the Tropic of Cancer and its lack of significant vegetation, the desert experiences intense solar radiation, resulting in high daytime temperatures.