
Desert | Definition, Climate, Animals, Plants, & Types | Britannica
3 days ago · Desert, any large, extremely dry area of land with sparse vegetation. It is one of Earth’s major types of ecosystems, supporting a community of plants and animals specially …
Desert - Wikipedia
A desert is a landscape where little precipitation occurs and, consequently, living conditions create unique biomes and ecosystems. The lack of vegetation exposes the unprotected surface of …
Deserts Explained - Education
Jul 21, 2025 · Deserts cover more than one-fifth of Earth's land area, and they are found on every continent. A place that receives less than 25 centimeters (10 inches) of rain per year is …
Deserts, facts and information | National Geographic
Deserts cover more than one-fifth of the Earth's land area, and they are found on every continent. A place that receives less than 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain per year is considered a...
What Is a Desert? - USGS Publications Warehouse
Approximately one-third of the Earth's land surface is desert, arid land with meager rainfall that supports only sparse vegetation and a limited population of people and animals.
What Is a Desert?
What Is a Desert? Although many people visualize deserts as dry, desolate wastelands, the term actually defines a wide spectrum of landscapes and plant and animal population densities.
DESERT Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of DESERT is arid land with usually sparse vegetation; especially : such land having a very warm climate and receiving less than 25 centimeters (10 inches) of sporadic rainfall …
Desert - Climate, Ecosystems, Adaptations | Britannica
3 days ago · Deserts are varied and variable environments, and it is impossible to arrive at a concise definition that satisfies every case. However, their most fundamental characteristic is a …
13 Deserts – An Introduction to Geology
Examples of rain-shadow deserts include the Western Interior Desert of North America and Atacama Desert of Chile, which is the Earth’s driest warm desert.
Desert - National Geographic Society
Dec 15, 2025 · In literature and in legend, deserts are often described as hostile places to avoid. Today, people value desert resources and biodiversity. Communities, governments, and …