The World's Three Largest Deserts: Antarctica, Arctic, Sahara

Deserts are defined by low precipitation, not heat. The three largest by area:

1. Antarctic Desert: ~14.2 million km² (polar desert)
2. Arctic Desert: ~13.9 million km² (polar desert)
3. Sahara Desert: ~9.2 million km² (hot desert)

The two polar deserts dwarf the Sahara, which is the largest hot desert.