World’s Largest Deserts by Area

1. Antarctica – 14.2 M km² (polar desert)
2. Sahara – 9.4 M km² (North Africa)
3. Arabian Desert – 2.6 M km² (Middle East)
4. Gobi Desert – 1.3 M km² (China/Mongolia)
5. Atacama Desert – 98,000 km² (Chile/Peru)

Deserts are defined by low precipitation (<250 mm/yr), not just sand.