Which desert is recognized as the largest in the world?

The Antarctic Desert is recognized as the largest desert in the world, not only because of its massive size but also due to its classification as a cold desert. Deserts are defined by their low precipitation levels, and Antarctica experiences very little annual rainfall, primarily in the form of snow. This results in a vast and arid landscape, which encompasses an area of about 14 million square kilometers (5.5 million square miles), making it significantly larger than any other desert on Earth.

In terms of size and classification, the Antarctic Desert surpasses the Sahara, Arabian, and Gobi deserts, which are all categorized as hot deserts. While the Sahara is often popularly thought of as the largest desert, its area is only around 9 million square kilometers (3.5 million square miles), showcasing the fundamental distinction between cold and hot deserts in determining size. Understanding this classification helps clarify why the Antarctic Desert rightly holds the title of the largest desert on the planet.