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The Sahara is the largest desert on the planet. Sahara Desert in Africa: animals, plants, map

About ten thousand years ago, the area where the most big desert Our planet, the Sahara, was covered with grass, low bushes and was densely populated. After our planet slightly changed the tilt of its axis, the climate began to gradually change, it became hot, the rains stopped - and many representatives of the animal world left the resulting desert.

The Sahara (translated from Arabic as “desert”) is the largest desert on our planet, which is located in northern Africa and is located on the territory of ten countries. On geographical map it can be found at the following coordinates: 23° 4′ 47.03″ N. latitude, 12° 36′ 44.3″ e. d.

The Sahara occupies about thirty percent of the African continent, and its area is about 9 million km2:

From east to west, the length of the desert is 4800 km: the Sahara begins on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and ends on the coast of the Red Sea.
The length of the Sahara from south to north ranges from 800 to 1200 km. The desert begins in the north of the continent near the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlas Mountains, the southern border is limited to 16° N. sh., in an area of sedentary ancient dunes, to the south of which begins the tropical savanna Sahel, a transitional area between the desert and the fertile soils of Sudan.

When exactly the Sahara Desert was formed on the territory of the African continent, scientists do not have a consensus: earlier its age was estimated at 5.5 thousand years, then at four, recently they began to be inclined to think that it is even younger, and its lands only became deserted about three thousand years ago.

The desert is located in the northwest of the stable ancient African plate, so ground shaking is rarely observed today. In the center of the platform, the relief rises from west to east: some of the largest high-mountain regions of the desert are the Ahaggar and Tibesti plateaus, where, unlike the rest of the Sahara, snow falls briefly almost every year.

From the northern and southern parts of the uplifts there are deflections of the platform, where in former times there was a sea, and therefore the soil is characterized by the presence of marine sedimentary rocks. In the south of the desert, the flexure of the platform led to the formation of large lakes, which are the main suppliers fresh water your region. First of all, we are talking about Lake Chad and the Ounianga group of lakes.

Sands occupy only a quarter of the Sahara, while the thickness of the sand layer is about 150 meters. Rocky soil predominates: it occupies about 70% of the desert area, the remaining part is volcanic mountains, as well as pebble and sandy-pebble soil.

There are also many aquifers (sedimentary rocks with to varying degrees water permeability, the cracks and voids of which are filled with water), which are the main suppliers of water to the oases.

Sometimes there are fertile lands in the desert - mostly near oases that take water from underground rivers and reservoirs, the water of which, due to its own pressure, was able to reach the ground.

On the map of Africa, the Sahara is divided into several regions:

Western Sahara - located in northwestern Africa, the territory is characterized by coastal lowlands that turn into elevated basement plains and plateaus.
The central highlands of Ahaggar - on the map are located in the south of Algeria, the highest point is Mount Takhat with a height of 2918 meters, so snow often falls here in winter.
The Tibesti mountain plateau is located in the center of the desert, in the north of the state of Chad and partly in the south of Libya. Highest point The plateau is the Emi-Kusi volcano, almost 3.5 km high, on the top of which snow falls annually.
The Tenere Desert is located in the south-central Sahara. It is a sandy plain with an area of about 400 thousand km2, which is located in the northeastern part of Niger and western Chad.
Libyan Desert - on the map of Africa it is located in the north and is the driest region of the desert.

Climate

The Sahara is the hottest and hottest place on our planet: even the driest desert in the world, the Atacama, which is located in South America, cannot compare with it.

The weather here in summer is extremely hot: temperature indicators The air temperature at this time often exceeds 57°C, and the sands heat up to 80°C. At the same time, the Sahara Desert is one of the few places on our planet where evaporation significantly exceeds the amount of precipitation (with the exception of narrow coastal strips). While the average precipitation is only 100 mm (and there may not be any in the center for several years in a row), 2 to 5 thousand mm of moisture evaporates.

Conventionally, Sugar can be divided into two climatic zones, northern (subtropical) and southern (tropical):

The northern part of the desert is characterized by hot summers (up to 58°C) and cold winters (especially cold weather in the mountains, where temperatures can drop to -18 °C). The annual precipitation rate is 80 mm, rainy weather here from December to March and in August, with thunderstorms and even severe short-term floods not uncommon. In winter, snow falls briefly on the high plateaus of Ahaggar and Tibesti almost every year.

The south is characterized by mild winters, and at the end of the hot and dry period it rains. In mountainous regions there is little precipitation, and it occurs evenly throughout the year. In the lowlands, rain falls in the summer, often accompanied by thunderstorms; about 130 mm of precipitation falls per year. In the west, near the Atlantic coast, the humidity is higher than in the rest of the Sahara, and there are often fogs here.

The difference between day and night air temperatures in the Sahara is often about forty degrees: the average temperature in the center of the desert in July is 35 °C, while at night the air temperature drops to +10 or +15 °C. The weather here is warm even in winter: the temperature of the coldest month of the year is +10°C (therefore, snow is an extremely rare phenomenon).

The climate of the Sahara is greatly influenced by constantly blowing strong winds, especially in the north of the desert (only 20 days a year are windless). The winds blow mainly from north to east: the movement of humid air masses Mediterranean air is stopped by the Atlas Mountains.

As for the air currents that move from the south, when they reach the central part of the desert, they manage to lose moisture. Therefore, the winds in the northern part of the desert are especially destructive force. They move at a speed of about 50 m/s and, raising dust, sand, and small stones to a height of more than a thousand meters, cause tornadoes and severe sandstorms, often moving dunes.

Water resources

The only river in North Africa that passes through the eastern part of the Sahara towards Mediterranean Sea is the Nile, whose length is 6852 km (the river is the second longest after the Amazon, and flows through South America).

Since as we move through the desert, a considerable part of the water evaporates, an important role is played by its two tributaries, the White and Blue Nile, which flow into it in the southeast of the desert (they are very clearly visible on the map). In the 60s of the last century, the Nasser reservoir was created between Egypt and Sudan, the total area of which exceeds 5 thousand km2.

In the south of the Sahara, several river streams flow into Lake Chad, whose area ranges from 27 to 50 thousand km2 (depending on precipitation in the region), after which part of the water leaves the lake - and the water continues to flow in a northeast direction, replenishing watersheds.

In the southwest the Niger River flows into the Gulf of Guinea of the Atlantic Ocean. This river is interesting because starting almost near the ocean, 240 km from the coast, it flows into the opposite side, into the Sahara, after which it turns sharply to the right and continues its journey in a southeast direction (the shape of the river, if you look at a map of Africa, resembles a boomerang).

In the northern part of the desert, water comes from streams of wadis, temporary water flows that appear after rainstorms and flow down from the mountains. Wadis also feed the desert soil in its central part. A lot of rainwater is found in the dunes: once in the sand, the water seeps down the slopes and flows down.

Beneath the desert sands are huge swimming pools groundwater, thanks to which oases are formed (there are especially many of them in the north of the Sahara, while in the south the aquifers are located deeper).

Another source of water in the largest desert on the planet is the relict lakes (remnants of former seas), often swampy and salty, although fresh water is often found among them (for example, the water of most lakes of the Unianga group).

Flora

There is little vegetation in the Sahara - mostly shrubs, grasses and trees that grow near natural body of water, along wadis or in high altitude regions, among them olives, cypress, dates, thyme, citrus.

In areas where there is little water supply, only those types of vegetation are found that tolerate drought well. In rocky areas and places where sand accumulates, there are no plants at all.

Fauna

The desert is home to almost 4 thousand representatives of the animal world, most of which are invertebrates. Animals of the Sahara Desert live mainly near water (they are practically not found in arid areas) and lead night image life.

Most of the animals are monitor lizards, cobras, lizards, chameleons, and snails. The reservoirs are inhabited by crocodiles, frogs, and crustaceans. There are about sixty species of mammals, including cheetah, spotted hyena, sand fox, and mongoose.

About 300 species of birds live in the Sahara, 50% of them are migratory. These are primarily ostriches, African eagle owls, fantailed and desert crows and others.

Desert and people

Despite its huge area, the desert is sparsely inhabited: only 2.5 million people live here. Some peoples lead a nomadic lifestyle, but most prefer to settle down. People settle only near oases, as well as in the valleys of the Nile and Niger rivers, where there is enough water and vegetation to survive and feed livestock. At the same time, large-scale farming predominates over fishing and hunting. cattle: goats and sheep.

But the animals of the Sahara Desert are among those who were able to adapt to harsh conditions deserts, so they can be included in the list of the most interesting animals on our planet.

The animals of the Sahara are unique in their kind, and most of them are almost impossible to find in other parts of the world.

1. Animals in the desert: Horned vipers

Based on their scientific name - Cerastes cerastes - these reptiles may seem harmless. In fact, horned viper venom causes serious damage to tissues and red blood cells. The entry of hemotoxins into the body can be fatal. Today it is an endangered species.

2. Desert fauna: Dromedary camel

It is worth noting that in the past a large number of dromedary camels(or dromedaries) roamed the deserts of North Africa, but today you can only find domesticated animals, which, being incredibly strong and hardy animals, help people in African and Asian countries transport heavy loads.

They are also used for riding. Contrary to the opinion of many people, these animals do not store water in their hump, but fat, which they feed on in case of food shortage.

3. Animals living in the desert: Dorcas gazelle

This animal has a sandy color, which helps it camouflage in the desert. Thanks to the dew on the plants it feeds on, as well as the consumption of water-conserving plants, this gazelle can almost never drink.

The animal can reach a height of 65 cm and a weight of 25 kg. It is worth noting that the Dorcas gazelle instinctively jumps away when a predator approaches. This reflex serves as a warning signal to other gazelles. In addition, the Dorcas gazelle runs very quickly, reaching speeds of almost 80 km/h.

4. Animals of the Sahara Desert: Sacred Scarab (or Dung Beetle)

This beetle attacks the droppings of ungulates. When sacred scarab finds the droppings, he begins to roll them with his back pair of legs, rolling them into a ball. After this, he rolls the ball of dung into the underground voids, where he eats it.

In autumn, the scarab beetle uses dung to prepare an even larger ball, and hides it in a large cavity - the female lays eggs in it.

5. What animals live in the desert: Addax (or mendes antelope)

Previously, addaxa could be seen in deserts and semi-deserts stretching from Western Sahara and Mauritania to Egypt and Sudan. Today, the range has decreased significantly - the Mendes antelope can be found only in a few sandy and rocky deserts of Niger, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Libya and Sudan.

Thanks to the structure of their paws, these creatures can move through difficult, sandy areas without problems. But the same thing makes them vulnerable to danger - it is difficult for them to escape from predators. There are about 500 individuals in the world.

6. African Desert Animals: Yellow Scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus

The Sahara is also home to a dangerous survivor yellow scorpion. While its larger brothers inspire fear with their size, this small scorpion uses its weakness and fragile-looking pincers to destroy its opponents.

This scorpio's main weapon is neurotoxins. Although a healthy adult may experience only pain from a yellow scorpion attack, for children and the elderly this battle can end fatally.

7. What animals live in the Sahara Desert: African ostrich

Although the ostrich cannot fly, it is one of the fastest animals on Earth, capable of reaching speeds of up to 70 km/h.

But besides its speed, the ostrich can boast of several more characteristics: it can move great distances, has excellent hearing and vision, and can safely fight off predators with its powerful legs.

Mainly feeds on grass, but sometimes eats small animals. Ostriches from the Sahara Desert are a separate subspecies.

8. Animals that live in the Sahara Desert: Monitor lizard

Unlike simple lizards, the monitor lizard is very dangerous due to its venom, which can be compared to that of a snake. But you shouldn’t be afraid of him, because... It usually uses its main weapon to hunt insects, rats, and other small animals.

These cold-blooded creatures easily adapt to the hot desert climate. When it gets very cold, they become more aggressive. In addition, they really do not like living in captivity.

Despite popular belief, the Sahara Desert on the map is not the largest in the world. In fact, in area it is inferior to the Antarctic desert, but among hot deserts and located on inhabited continents, the Sahara is the undisputed leader.

Sahara Desert on the map of the world and Africa

Sahara is the greatest desert world not by its size, but by influence on history and modern life person. Humanity lived in the Sahara many millennia ago, as evidenced by more than 3 thousand rock paintings in various parts of the desert.

And now the Sahara has a huge impact on the political, economic and cultural life of North Africa.

Because of their huge The size of the Sahara is distinguished by a fairly diverse climate, soil type, living conditions and local inhabitants - from Arabs in the north to black peoples in the south of the desert.

What continent is it on?

Sahara is located in the northern part African continent and extends from the coast in the north to the tropical savannas of the Sahel in the south at 16° N. sh., from the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the east of the continent.

Which country does it belong to?

The following African states are located entirely or partially on the territory of the Sahara:

Libya;
Tunisia;
Algeria;
West Sahara;
Mauritania;
Mali;
Niger;
Chad;
Sudan.

History and names

Scientists believe that even in 5-4 millennium BC e. trees grew in the Sahara, earth's surface was covered with grasses and shrubs, and water resources were represented by numerous lakes.

Presumably, complex desertification began at the same time due to a decrease in moisture and the predominance of moisture evaporation over precipitation.

Reason This could be due to both natural factors (climate change) and an anthropogenic factor - the transition of local tribes to a pastoral type of animal husbandry, which led to desertification. On the other hand, such a transition could be caused by the transformation of once flourishing savannas into desert.

Be that as it may, in about a thousand years The Sahara turned into a desert, and the desertification process was completed by the middle of the 3rd millennium BC. e.

The name Sahara presumably comes from the Arabic word "ṣaḥārā", which means "desert". Another possible origin of the name is from the Arabic “sahra”, which means “red-brown”. The name of the desert has been fixed since the 1st century AD. e. after Arabic-speaking tribes reached the Sahara.

If your acquaintance with the Sahara is accompanied by a vacation in Tunisia, then find out what weather in the country by month.

Climatic conditions

Climate of the Sahara - deserted(arid), characteristic feature which is the predominance of evaporation processes over humidification processes.

The southern part of the desert has dry tropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The amount of precipitation per year is usually about 130 mm. IN winter time At night the air temperature can drop below zero, and in the summer it often reaches +50°C.

The northern part of the desert has dry subtropical climate with hot summers and relatively cold winter. average temperature air in summer reaches +37°C, and in winter in mountainous areas it can drop to -18°C. This part of the desert is characterized by high daily fluctuations in air temperature due to night cooling. The average annual precipitation does not exceed 75 mm.

Sand Sea - what is it like?

Sahara - active desert, which annually increases its area, moving into south direction for 10 km.

Characteristics of endless sands

About a quarter of Sugar consists of sand dunes, a quarter - from mountains of volcanic origin, and half from barren rocky plains and cliffs. The area of the territory with stable vegetation does not exceed several percent.

One of the reasons for the dryness of the Sahara is the presence of the Atlas Mountains in the north of the desert, which block the access of humid Mediterranean air to the Sahara.

The central part of the Sahara, where there is the least amount of annual precipitation (no more than 20 mm per year), is one of the most lifeless places on Earth. The average amount of biomass in this part of the desert drops to 2 kg/ha or less.

Square The desert covers almost 9 million km², which is equal to almost 30% of the territory of Africa. The desert stretches for 4.8 thousand km from west to east and 1.2 thousand km from north to south.

Water sources in the Sahara are:

artesian The groundwater , above the surface of which there are oases;
rainwater, which fills gelts (ponds or natural puddles) and wadis (dry beds of ancient rivers filled with rainwater);
large rivers on the outskirts of the desert (Nile, Niger).

Flora and fauna

A significant part of the desert has no vegetation at all and is classic sand. Plants that are mostly resistant to arid climates grow in oases and high-altitude areas (grass, small shrubs and trees). Various varieties are grown in oases cultivated plants: dates, olives, figs, vegetables.

Fauna Sugars are mainly represented various types rodents and reptiles, as well as birds, more than half of which are migratory. Large mammals include antelopes, rams, and the Nubian donkey. Predators: spotted hyena and cheetah. Most of the Saharan animals are active at night, when the heat is not so great.

For those wishing to visit deeper places in the Sahara, it is recommended to get to erga Shigaga- a conglomerate of sand dunes in the heart of the Moroccan Sahara. There is a tent camp here, where tourists can expect all the benefits of civilization available in the desert.

Picturesque Shigaga, whose dimensions are 30 by 15 km, exceeds any expectations: countless untouched dunes, practically devoid of vegetation, stretch to the end of the horizon.

Another popular route in the Moroccan part of the Sahara is a trip to Ergu Chebbi through the village of Merzouga. Erg Chebbi is as colorful as Shigagu, but getting to it is a little more difficult.

Mauritania

Mauritania is located almost entirely within the Sahara, but travel here is rarity due to the poverty of the local population, lack of infrastructure and quite high level crime in the country.

For those who decide to tour this exotic country, it will be interesting to visit Adrar plateau, in which the list objects are located World Heritage UNESCO - villages of Ouadan and Chinguetti. On the plateau itself, despite its lifelessness, there are more than 20 large oases, including quite Big City Atar.

Algeria

Algeria is a country with greatest The territory of the Sahara in its composition, more than 80% of the country's area is occupied by desert.

The most stunning desert landscapes are located in the south-eastern part of Algeria at the foot of the Tassile Mountains.

Tassil Plateau- one of the objects of the UNESCO list; the oldest petroglyphs, whose age ranges from 2 to 9 thousand years, were found in local caves.

Others man-made attractions Algerian part of the Sahara are:

Ouargla city;
Mzab Valley with fortified cities.

These settlements are of great value from a historical and architectural point of view and were founded and developed in the 10th century Ibadis- a branch of Muslims distinct from Sunnis and Shiites.

Of the natural attractions of the Algerian part of the Sahara, it stands out Ahaggar Highlands in the south of Algeria, consisting of volcanic remains of bizarre shapes. Open on site national park Ahaggar, and the guides of tourists are local Tuaregs, whose unique culture will be interesting for any tourist.

The air temperature in summer rises to 58°, and in winter it remains within 15-28° C.

Sand dust from the Sahara strong winds, during frequent sandstorms, can be reported even to Europe.

An interesting fact is that there are maps on which areas where mirages are observed are marked. And more than 150 thousand of them are observed in the Sahara!

The mysterious and almost mystical eye of the Sahara.

Map of the ancient Sahara.

The vegetation cover of the Sahara includes 1,200 plant species. Most of them are xerophytes or ephemerals. Rocky areas seem lifeless, but even on such soil, seemingly unrealistic for life, you can find plants that amaze with their ability to adapt to the harsh conditions of the desert.

Rose of Jericho is a plant whose short branches seem to be pinching its seeds with fingers. When it's raining, these “fingers” unclench and the seeds fall into moist soil, where they germinate very quickly.

The seeds of other plants also use every drop of moisture, but if not favorable conditions, can sit in dry soil even for several years.

Lichens, small plants with spines and small leaves, spread on the sands and rocks. Gray, grey-green and yellow tones of the vegetation give a lifeless, sad look to the entire desert.

Shrubs and some tough grasses appear near the southern border of the Sahara, and wild pistachios, jujubes and oleanders can be found in the north.

Animal world

The fauna of the Sahara is poor in species, but quite rich in individuals. It includes animals that can move quickly in search of food and water, and can also endure all the harsh conditions of the desert.

The most typical of the Sahara are the oryx and addax antelopes, the dama gazelle, the Dorcas gazelle, and mountain goats. Because of their valuable skins and delicious meat some species are at the stage of extinction.

Most known predators- these are jackals, foxes, hyenas, cheetahs.

There are also birds - migratory and permanent. Among the permanent residents, the desert raven is especially popular.

Of the reptiles, lizards predominate, and there are also many snakes and turtles. And in some reservoirs, real crocodiles have been preserved.

Of course, living in the conditions of the Sahara is very difficult, but for many it is their native land, so they get to feel not only the severity, but also the caress of the desert.

Watch the video: Fearless Planet - Sahara Desert (Discovery: Fearless Planet. Episode 1 Sahara Desert).

Sahara. Tuareg salt caravan. Jim Brasher lives the life of a Tuareg in a salt caravan in the middle of the Sahara Desert.

In the wilds of Africa-2. Episode 3. Sahara. Life on the edge / Sahara. Life On The Edge

The Sahara is the largest and hottest desert in the world, and its inhabitants must constantly fight for survival. Only the hardiest animal species live here.

About a quarter of today's Sahara is covered by sands, among which there are no signs of life. Such sandy deserts Arabic are called "erg". They were formed on old plains deposited by rivers. The rest of the Sahara Desert is pebbly "reggae" deserts that form on plateaus and hill plains. Rocky and gravelly wastelands are called “hamads”.

The modern desert relief was formed under the influence of precipitation, which was abundant in ancient times. Rains are still making changes to the desert landscape, but main role This is played by the sand, which moves slowly. It has polishing properties and “polishes” the surrounding rocks to a shine, creates depressions at their base, and pierces some through. Therefore, the local relief is constantly changing, acquiring new features.

Eastern Sahara is the sunniest place on Earth. The sun shines here 4,000 hours a year, that is, almost 11 hours a day.
The most poisonous fat-tailed scorpion in the world lives in the Sahara. A person bitten by it dies in four hours, and a dog in a matter of minutes.
Sometimes strong gusts winds lift small particles of sand into the atmosphere, and air currents carry them all the way to the Alps. Then the snow in the mountains turns red.
In the Libyan city of Al-Azizia, which is located in the northern part of the desert, the most heat air on Earth: +58 ° C in the shade.
The Sahara covers a surface area of nine million square kilometers. It is located in North Africa, from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Red Sea in the east and is almost equal in size to the United States.

Birds of the Sahara

Sandgrouse nest in the desert, flying long distances for water. When a male sandgrouse drinks, the feathers on his chest become saturated with water, which he carries to the chicks.

Climate and vegetation

Most of the Sahara does not receive even 100 mm of precipitation per year, while for Central Europe the norm is about 1000 mm. In some areas of the Sahara, there is no rain for years, and only a sudden change in the weather brings the desired moisture. Often morning dew is the only source of water for animals inhabiting the desert.

During the day, the desert is unbearably hot, and at night it gets cold. Desert plants can be divided into two groups. The first category includes most species with a branched root system and liquid leaves.

Plants of the second group, which are also called ephemerals, produce seeds that can lie in the soil awaiting moisture. long years. After the first rain, it produces sprouts that quickly bloom and bear fruit - this happens in short term not exceeding two weeks. However date palm does not belong to any of the mentioned groups.

Reptiles, amphibians and insects

Scorpions and spiders living in the Sahara obtain most of the water they need from food. The bodies of many of them are covered with a chitinous shell, which limits the removal of fluid from the body. In addition, most insects secrete wax, which envelops the body with a protective film.

Insects, such as locusts, begin to multiply at tremendous speed during rain. Insects and other invertebrates become a source of fluid for lizards and snakes. On cold nights, many reptiles become torpid because their blood circulation slows.

In the morning they sunbathe and, having warmed up, go hunting. The air temperature is dangerous, so many lizards hide underground at midday. Snakes, such as the horned viper, burrow deep into the cool, wet sand. Amphibians require water to reproduce. Vif tasheiapist frogs find a way out of the situation by laying eggs in puddles formed after rain.

Mammals

Majority large mammals, if they found themselves in the desert, they would quickly die from heatstroke and dehydration. Fleet-footed gazelles have adapted to the harsh conditions of the Sahara. Gazelle Dorcas spends her entire life searching for plants that will give her at least a little water.

Fenech.

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