Sahara Desert and Nile River: African Landmarks

Two Icons of the African Continent

Yes, both the Sahara Desert and the Nile River are major physical features located entirely on the continent of Africa.

• Sahara: The world’s largest hot desert, covering much of North Africa (over 9 million km²).
• Nile: The world’s longest river (~6,650 km), flowing north through northeastern Africa to the Mediterranean.

They have shaped the continent’s climate, ecology, and human history for millennia.