Sahara Desert Facts for Kids

The Sahara Desert covers the majority of North Africa and is the biggest hot desert in the world. Its name derives from the Arabic word Sahra meaning desert. Experts originally believed that the history of the Sahara Desert spanned 3-4 million years, however, recent discoveries now lead us to believe that it is in fact much older! The age of the Sahara Desert is though to be around 7 million years, when the formation of its beautiful landscape began to develop.

Factsmania has compiled printable fact sheets covering the most important and interesting facts about the Sahara Desert for kids with key information about its sand dunes, animals, birds, plants, climate, temperature, rainfall, weather conditions, vegetation, history, formation, size and location of the incredible Arabian Desert.

Interesting Sahara Desert Facts for Kids:- Our printable facts sheet about the Sahara Desert provides important information and key facts for school kids and teachers. Our list of fun facts about the Sahara Desert offers ideal homework help or a useful information guide to the world's biggest hot desert and the third largest desert on Earth. Did you know that the Sahara Desert is millions of years old? Did you know that many species of plants and animals can be found in the Sahara Desert biome? Did you know that the term 'desertification' can be defined as the process by which fertile land becomes desert? Did you know that the Sahara Desert sand dunes are sculpted by the wind and in fact, only make up around 15% of the entire land of the Sahara Desert biome?

Interesting Sahara Desert Facts for Kids:- Our free list of Interesting Sahara Desert Biome Facts for Kids is simple to print and includes important facts about the Sahara Desert including how it was formed, why it is important, why it is classed as a biome, how big the Sahara Desert is, where it is located, what the climate is like, how hot the Sahara Desert is, what type of plants grow in the Sahara Desert and which species of animals are able to survive its extreme temperatures, lack of vegetation and water?

Interesting Sahara Desert Facts for Kids

Sahara Desert Fact File for Kids:- Official Name Facts: The name of the Sahara Desert derives from the Arabic word Sahra meaning desert ***Average Temperature in North Sahara: 36 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) *** Average Temperature in South Sahara: 31.5 degrees Fahrenheit (17.5 degrees Celsius) *** Location: Africa *** Climate and Weather Facts: Hot and dry climate conditions *** Annual Rainfall: Less than 2cms rainfall per year in the driest parts, up to 10cms in the wettest *** Type of Desert: Hot and Dry

Interesting Facts for Kids 1:- Where is the Sahara Desert located?
The Sahara Desert is located on the continent of Africa and covers most of North Africa from the Atlas Mountains in the north to the Niger River in the south. From eastern to western parts of North Africa, the Sahara Desert stretches from the Red Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.

Interesting Facts for Kids 2:- What countries does the Sahara Desert cover?
The Sahara Desert has a large presence in a number of North African countries including Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Mali, Algeria, Tunisia, Niger, Libya, Chad, Egypt and  Sudan.

Interesting Facts for Kids 3:- What is the temperature in the Sahara Desert?
The temperature of the Sahara Desert varies between northern and southern regions where different types of climate occur. The North Sahara Desert experiences a dry subtropical climate which is subject to an average annual temperature of approximately 36 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius), where as southern parts experience a dry tropical climate with a cooler average annual temperature of 31.5 degrees Fahrenheit (17.5 degrees Celsius).

Interesting Facts for Kids 4:- What is the climate of the Sahara Desert?
The climate of the Sahara Desert differs between northern and southern areas. In the north, the dry subtropical climate determines hot summers with high temperatures, particularly during the day, and cool winters with an average temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius). In southern parts of the Sahara Desert, the dry tropical climates determines hot spring and summer months, and cooler winters. The average annual precipitation is less.

Interesting Facts for Kids 5:- Sahara Desert Rainfall
The Sahara Desert receives little rainfall throughout the year, most of the rainfall occurs during thunderstorms. The wettest areas receive up to 10cms of rainfall per year and the driest parts of the desert receive less than 2cms on average each year.

Interesting Facts for Kids 6:- How big is the Sahara Desert?
The Sahara is the world's largest hot desert, it covers an area of approximately 9,400,000 square kilometers (3,600,000 square miles) and occurs throughout numerous countries in North Africa including Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Mali, Algeria, Tunisia, Niger, Libya, Chad, Egypt and  Sudan. Approximately 10% of the continent of Africa is covered by the Sahara Desert.

Interesting Facts for Kids 7:- How was the Sahara Desert formed?
The formation of the Sahara Desert began millions of years ago with recent studies unveiling that desertification likely began around 7 million years ago which is 4 million years earlier than geological experts had previously believed. This opinion changed when sand dune deposits dating back 7 million years were discovered in the northern Chad Basin. The formation of the Sahara Desert was a result of changes in climate and began during a time of aridity in North Africa. The winds helped to create the beautiful sand dunes that cover approximately 15% of the Sahara Desert.

Interesting Facts for Kids 8:- What animals live in the Sahara Desert?
The Sahara Desert provides a home to many species of animals including mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, arachnids and arthropods. Such animals include desert rats, sheep, oryx, addax (white antelope), baboons, cheetahs, hyenas, gazelles, jackals, fox, camels, snakes, scorpions, lizards, frogs, spiders, and birds.

Interesting Facts for Kids 9:-  How do Sahara Desert animals survive?
Animals living in the Sahara Desert have to make many adaptations in order to survive its hot climate and lack of vegetation and water sources. Certain animals, such as dromedary camels, are particularly resilient and adaptable to the Sahara Desert as they are able to survive for days without food or water. The incredible wildlife of the Sahara Desert form their habitats in order to survive extreme temperatures and climate conditions. Some animals seek shaded areas during the day when temperatures are particularly high and explore throughout the night when the climate is cooler. Animals of lighter color are less susceptible to heat and can usually withstand exposure to hotter temperatures for longer.

Interesting Facts for Kids 10:- Sahara Desert Snakes
The Desert Horned Viper is one of the most common venomous snakes found in the Sahara Desert, often amongst the sand dunes. This particular snake has a painful bite that can prove fatal to humans, as can the deadly bite of the Nubian Spitting Cobra or Saw Scaled Vipers which also exist in the Sahara Desert.

Interesting Facts for Kids 11:- Sahara Desert Birds
The Sahara Desert is native to many species of bird including the world's largest type of bird, the ostrich, a flightless bird originating from Africa. The ostrich is particularly adaptable to the Sahara Desert as it feeds off plants and seeds which enable this type of bird to obtain the water required for survival. Other types of birds found living in the Sahara Desert include Secretary Birds, Arabian Bustards, Denham's Bustards, Nubian Bustards, Abdim's Stork, African Collared Dove, African Spoonbill, African Swallow-tailed Kite, plus many more species.

Interesting Facts for Kids 14:- Sahara Desert plant adaptations and facts
The plants of the Sahara Desert need to be robust and resilient in order to adapt to its hot, dry climate and nutritionally poor soils. Much of the biome is subject to drought conditions as rainfall is low and other sources of water such as rivers and oasis are sparse. Many desert plants are able to survive the harsh, salty conditions of the Sahara as they have thickly built stems which assist them in retaining water for long periods of time. In addition, desert plants do not typically have an abundance of leaves, their leaves are often reduced to sharp spikes which help them to retain moisture.

Interesting Facts for Kids 15:- Sahara Desert Cactus facts
One of the most common types of cactus found growing in the Sahara Desert is the African Peyote cactus. This particular plant belongs to the Cactaceae family and adapts well to the poor growing conditions which are determined by the hot, dry climate of the Sahara Desert. The plant grows up to 7cm, it has thick stems which aid water retention meaning that the cactus is able to store water for long periods of time in order to survive. The leaves of the African Peyote are reduced to sharp spikes which prevent water evaporation and helps the plant to retain moisture.

Interesting Facts for Kids 16:-  Sahara Desert vegetation facts
The richest vegetation of the biome can be found growing along the River Nile which runs through the Sahara Desert throughout the year. The River Nile is very important to the Sahara Desert as it provides a water source to plants and animals, where as most other parts of the land form is subject to drought conditions and poor nutritional soil making it particularly difficult for vegetation to grow and survive. Although vegetation across the Sahara Desert is sparse, many species of plants, trees, shrubs and herbs form an important part of the structure of this biome and ecosystem by providing habitats and food to animals.

Interesting Facts for Kids 17:- Sahara Desert sandstorm facts
The Sahara Desert is subject to many sandstorms, also commonly known as dust storms, which occur frequently in arid regions of North Africa. Sandstorms are created by strong gusts of winds which lift grains of sand and transport them, often making visibility very obscure. Sandstorms can create huge clouds of fine particles which change the color of the atmosphere.

Interesting Facts for Kids 18:-  Sahara Desert tours?
Tourists can experience the stunning scenery of the Sahara Desert with a planned, organized tour which can offer them a trip of a life time. From camel trekking across the sand dunes to a 4x4 experience, tour guides can take tourists to the most popular sights and attractions. Experience the Sahara Desert with a tour guide who can take you to places of interest such as Ait Ben Haddou, Erg Chebbi, Dades Gorges, Ziz Valley, Tizi-n-Tichka, Ouarzazate, Berber Villages, Skoura Oasis and Rissani.

Interesting Facts for Kids 19:- How deep is the sand in the Sahara Desert?
It is difficult to determine how deep the sand is below the bedrock of the Sahara Desert. However, from the bedrock, sand dunes can reach an incredible height of 320 meters, that's approximately 170-180 meters from sand level!

Interesting Facts for Kids 20:-  Sahara Desert volcano facts
The Sahara Desert volcano is located in northern Chad and is in fact known as the Emi Koussi volcano. The structure of the volcano covers around 60-80 kilometers and is positioned approximately 3,415 meters above sea level. Emi Koussi is a shield volcano comprising of three volcanic craters which were formed by powerful eruptions. The most recent eruption is not recorded but is believed to have occurred within the last 2 million years. Emi Koussi is the highest summit of the Sahara Desert.

Interesting Sahara Desert Facts for Kids