What is the Sahara, and how do the average temperatures there compare to the ones in the Antarctica?

The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world, spanning across North Africa and covering an area of approximately 9,200,000 square kilometres (3,600,000 sq mi). Here are some key points about the Sahara and a comparison of its temperatures with those of Antarctica:

Sahara Desert

• The Sahara is characterized by a diverse range of topographical features, including shallow basins, oasis depressions, gravel-covered plains, rock-strewn plateaus, abrupt mountains, and extensive sand dunes and sand seas15.
• It is divided into two main climatic regimes: a dry subtropical climate in the north and a dry tropical climate in the south. This results in significant temperature variations:
  • Winter temperatures average around 55 °F (13 °C), with nights sometimes dropping below freezing24.
  • Summer temperatures can reach as high as 104 °F (40 °C) to 117 °F (47 °C), making the Sahara the hottest large region in the world34.

Temperature Comparison with Antarctica

• Antarctica is the largest desert in the world but is an icy desert, contrasting sharply with the Sahara's hot conditions.
  • Antarctica's average annual temperature is approximately -46.3 °F (-43.5 °C), with temperatures often dropping as low as -128.6 °F (-89.2 °C), the lowest recorded temperature on Earth3.
  • Antarctica has only two seasons: a long, cold winter and a short, slightly warmer summer3.
• In contrast, the Sahara experiences all four seasons, though the temperature is the primary indicator of seasonal change.
  • The Sahara's average summer temperature is around 104 °F (40 °C), while winter temperatures average about 55 °F (13 °C)34.

Thus, the Sahara and Antarctica represent two extremes in terms of temperature, with the Sahara being the hottest large desert and Antarctica being the coldest.