World: Deserts – Map Quiz

Deserts are regions that receive very little precipitation. Although they are often associated with hot, sandy landscapes, deserts can also be cold, rocky, mountainous, or covered in ice. The Antarctic and Arctic deserts demonstrate that extremely dry conditions occur even in the polar regions.

Some of the world's largest hot deserts are found in Africa and Asia. The Sahara stretches across much of North Africa, while the Arabian, Syrian, Karakum, Kyzylkum, Gobi, and Taklamakan deserts occupy extensive areas of Asia. The Namib and Atacama are coastal deserts where cold ocean currents help create exceptionally dry conditions.

Australia contains several large deserts, including the Great Victoria, Great Sandy, Gibson, Simpson, Tanami, and Strzelecki deserts. In North America, the Sonoran, Chihuahuan, Mojave, and Great Basin deserts occupy parts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. South America is home to the Atacama, Sechura, Monte, and Patagonian deserts.

This quiz covers 30 deserts and arid regions from around the world. Learning their locations provides an introduction to global patterns of aridity and the different landscapes and climates associated with deserts.