The desert that stretches across northern Africa is the Sahara Desert. It is the largest hot desert in the world, covering over 9 million square kilometers. The Sahara features varied landscapes, including sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and gravel plains. Its harsh climate experiences extreme temperatures and limited rainfall, making it one of the driest places on Earth. Despite these conditions, the Sahara is home to a range of wildlife and diverse human cultures, contributing to its complex ecological system.