Science Common Sense

292 - Why is the Sahara Desert so large?

The Sahara Desert is so large because of a combination of its location and the way the Earth's climate works.

It's in a region near the equator where the sun's rays hit the Earth directly, making it hot. Also, cold ocean currents from the north and south move the warm, moist air away, creating a dry climate.

Imagine a big bowl of hot air that surrounds the Sahara. As the air rises, cooler air moves in, but it's dry, and that's why the Sahara doesn't get much rain. This process has been happening for millions of years, making the Sahara the largest hot desert in the world, covering most of North Africa.