Wanderlust World Wanderlust World No continent on Earth is entirely desert. This common misconception likely stems from confusion about Antarctica, which is often mischaracterized.
Antarctica is technically a polar desert—defined by low precipitation (under 200mm annually)—but it's covered by a massive ice sheet averaging 1.9 km thick. It's the coldest, windiest, and driest continent, but "desert" refers to precipitation, not temperature or sand.
| Continent | Major Deserts | % Desert |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Great Victoria, Simpson, Gibson | ~18% |
| Africa | Sahara, Kalahari, Namib | ~25% |
| Asia | Gobi, Arabian, Thar | ~20% |
| North America | Mojave, Sonoran, Chihuahuan | ~10% |
| South America | Atacama, Patagonian | ~5% |
| Europe | Minor semi-arid regions only | <1% |
| Antarctica | Polar desert (ice-covered) | 100%* |
*Technically 100% polar desert by precipitation definition, but 98% ice-covered
Deserts are defined by aridity (low precipitation), not heat or sand. Types include:
While Australia has the highest percentage of desert among inhabited continents, no continent is entirely desert. Antarctica's ice sheet makes it unique—a frozen desert holding 70% of Earth's fresh water.