Record #00256Nature archive
World's Largest Hot Desert by Area
The Sahara across North Africa is the world's largest hot desert. Guinness World Records estimates about 9.1 million square kilometres, while NASA gives an approximate extent of 9.2 million square kilometres.
ARCHIVE VISUAL / 01
NOT TO SCALE
Current Record
about9.1 millionkm²
Current record value
- Holder
- Sahara Desert
- Location
- North Africa, spanning multiple countries and territories
- Start date
- —
- Record status
- Verified · currentReport an issue
Overview
Archive NoteThe Sahara stretches across North Africa from the Atlantic side toward the Red Sea and spans several countries and territories. Its terrain includes rocky plateaus, gravel plains, uplands and salt flats in addition to iconic sand dunes.
Deserts are defined chiefly by aridity, not by permanent high temperatures. On the same definition, Antarctica's polar desert is larger, so this record is specifically for hot deserts rather than all desert types.
Guinness reports around 9.1 million km², compared with NASA's roughly 9.2 million km², reflecting estimation and geographic boundary differences. The formation of the Sahara is gradual, so a modern publication date cannot serve as a record achievement date.
Record history
1 Milestones- about 9.1 million km²Sahara DesertNorth Africa, spanning multiple countries and territoriesCurrent Record
Sources
Evidence & ReferencesThe record value on this page is organized from the public sources above. Measurement methods may differ; JiLuDB follows the unified method described for each entry.
Public feedbackFound a data issue?If a fact has changed, the data is incorrect, or you know a more authoritative source, submit feedback.Submit feedback
Help keep the archive accurate
If a fact has changed, a value is incorrect, or you know a more authoritative source, leave a note. Feedback enters an administrator review workflow and never edits a record directly.