The Sahara Beyond the Sand: Landscapes, Culture, and Survival in the World’s Largest Hot Desert

Journey into the heart of the Sahara Desert, a vast and extraordinary region stretching across 11 countries and territories in North Africa. Covering approximately 3.6 million square miles, the Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world and extends from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea and from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sahel.

Although it is commonly imagined as an endless sea of sand, dunes cover only about 25 percent of the Sahara. Much of the desert consists of rocky plateaus, gravel plains, rugged mountains, dry valleys, salt flats, and life sustaining oases. Some dunes in Algeria rise more than 500 feet, while other areas feature dramatic rock formations shaped by centuries of wind erosion.

Beyond its breathtaking landscapes, the Sahara holds powerful stories of human survival, ancient trade, rich cultural traditions, and remarkable wildlife. Discover a world of extremes and explore the Sahara beyond the sand.