Deserts

Deserts are defined by dry weather conditions and low precipitation. They can be found throughout the world, and often represent some of the last remaining wilderness areas.

Understand
Deserts are generally considered to be regions that receive less than $$ of rain per year while also south of the Arctic Circle. Trees generally need good water supplies and are therefore rarely found in deserts, except at oases. Although grasses can be found in some deserts such as high-elevation deserts, they are not common in low-lying deserts.

The stereotypical desert is hot, but not all deserts are. Polar regions, despite the snow that covers these areas, are often very dry; the same is the case with Mongolia and China's desert regions. Mountain deserts are often cold, too. Even stereotypical hot deserts can get cold at night, partly due to the lack of moisture in the air.

Antarctica
The continent is considered a desert, with minimal rainfall along coastal regions and even less in the interior.

Australia
Australia as a landmass is mostly made up of deserts or semi-deserts, with relatively narrow fertile areas along coastal areas and the south west region. The largest individual desert is the.

Europe
The closest thing to a desert on the European mainland is the semiarid region in inner and southern Spain. The interior of Iceland, a cold, barren area, is characterized as desert.

North America
A lot of the dry parts of North America are in the southwestern United States, just over a mountain range or two away from the coast. As you go north into the Great Basin, the elevation increases and you enter high-elevation desert.


 * The merges into the Baja Californian desert at its southern extent.
 * The merges into the Baja Californian desert at its southern extent.
 * The merges into the Baja Californian desert at its southern extent.

Stay healthy
Even if water is not a severe threat to your life, you can still get dehydrated. Only go hiking in deserts during the wintertime unless you're in a cold desert like the Gobi, since dehydration (especially severe cases that are related to hot weather) may not kill you, but is still not healthy. The same also goes for food and any other supplies which you need in any situation.

Stay safe
The most obvious risk is not getting enough water—always bring extra. Another problem is getting lost or stuck, as deserts are sparsely populated and help may be hard to find. See Arid region safety for details.

Despite the inhospitable environment, deserts are home to many types of dangerous animals, including venomous snakes and scorpions.

Deserts are rarely well-policed, and can be home to criminal or terrorist groups. Always check the relevant travel advisories.

In the heat of the day, travelers can experience mirages that give the illusion of water (or other things). These can be dangerous if the traveler pursue the mirage, wasting precious energy and remaining water.

Even the hottest of deserts can become extremely cold at night. Hypothermia is a real risk without warm clothing.