How many deserts are there in the world?

Answer 1

Some of the major deserts of the world include:

• Arabian
• Atacama
• Mojave Desert (includes Death Valley)
• Gibson
• Gobi
• Great Basin
• Great Sandy
• Great Victoria
• Kalahari
• Karakum
• Kavir
• Kyzylkum
• Libyan
• Lut
• Mojave
• Nafud
• Namib
• Nubian
• Sahara
• Simpson
• Sonoran
• Syrian
• Taklimakan

It also depends on one's definition of desert. Australia has a dozen or more deserts, but some sources group them together under "Australian desert", as their borders overlap each other. However, this does not take into account the different topography of each desert. The list above does not include all of the smaller deserts of Australia, external to the main ones in central and Western Australia. The Tanami Desert, Tirari, Pedirka, Strzelecki and Painted Deserts are just some of the "minor" deserts omitted from the list: similarly, this phenomenon, of "minor" deserts, can be found on other major continents such as Africa and South America. Argentina, Chile and Peru, for example, have many more deserts not included in the list above.

The list has also omitted the "tundra" style desert found in colder climates, such as on the North Island of New Zealand, and some of the regions within the Arctic Circle. The Antarctic also qualifies as a desert.

For a list of the major deserts of the world see the link below. The list does not include the smaller deserts.

Answer 2

There are about 24 major deserts throughout the world and a number of smaller arid regions. For a list of major deserts click here.