Your Science Book

The Sahara

On many maps of Africa, the entire top third of the continent is colored yellow or pale beige. This colour represents the vast, dry land of the Sahara desert- the largest dry desert in the world. This is where we get many images of the desert. Yellow landscapes of wave-like sand dunes cover a fifth of the Sahara. The Tuareg people lead camels across the Sahara to trade salt. Only this desert has much more to offer then sand.

A Tuareg Man wearing a blue turban

It may surprise you to learn that the world's largest desert has one of the world's longest rivers flowing throughout it. The Nile river brings water to crops and cities along its banks. This allowed the large civilization of Ancient Egypt to survive among the dunes. Ancient Egyptains would carve into the sand to make passageways for water to come from the Nile to the desert and bring water to people, animals, and plants. In some places, it seeps into the water creating an oasis, a small spot of green land.

But don't get the idea that the Sahara is moist and pleasant. In some areas, no rain falls for years, the temperature gets up to 136 degrees, and winds create sun-blocking dust storms. The Sahara is home to low growing grasses, shrubs, and thorn trees. Several antelopes, birds, and reptiles live here. One kind of reptile, a skink, is known as a sandfish because it can "swim" through the sand.

Chondrite, a precious Ancient Saharian Metal

People have lived in the Sahara for centuries. Northern Africa is a trading area for people from Africa, Europe, and Asia. Rich ancient cities survived on irrigated crops and the wealth of spices, fabrics, and precious gems and metals. During the middle ages, Northern Africa was a center of art, writing, science, and learning.

Today, a treasure lies under the Sahara. This desert holds the largest reserves of oil, a liquid many people depend on for fuel and energy. Some countries of the Sahari are incredibly wealthy from selling oil, and nations have fought wars over it.

Glossary

 Irrigated - Brought to the desert by making passageways for water from the Nile to come in. Crops from the Sahara desert have to be irrigated.

Oasis - A small patch of green land in the desert where there is water.

Beige - A light brownish tan color.