Desert Sahara temperature at night. Hot Sahara Desert on the map

The Sahara Desert is one of the largest deserts in the world. The Sahara stretches across most of North Africa, covering 9 million square kilometers. In fact, the Sahara Desert occupies 30% of the entire African continent. It is the hottest and hottest place in the world with summer temperatures often exceeding 57 degrees Celsius. The desert receives an annual downpour and very powerful sandstorms that raise the sand 1000 meters in height and move the dunes.

We continue the theme of the deserts of Africa. In previous editions of LifeGlobe we told you about the White Desert in Egypt and the Namib Desert, but now it's time to talk about the Sahara. Some say that the Sahara desert before the first ice age was much larger, and some say that the Sahara desert appeared 4000 years ago. For example, German scientists, using methods of computer modeling of the Earth's climate, found that the Sahara became a desert 4,000 years ago. 10 thousand years ago the most big desert the world was covered with grass and low shrubs, but then the summer became hotter, and the rains almost stopped. Naturally, many ancient civilizations disappeared, and all living things left the Sahara. According to scientists from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Research, the transformation of the Sahara into a desert was one of the most dramatic climatic events on Earth in foreseeable millennia. Why is the climate so unstable? It turns out that the inclination of the earth's axis to the Sun is gradually changing: approximately 9 thousand years ago it was 24.14 degrees, now it is 23.45 degrees. Today, the Earth comes closest to the Sun in January, ten thousand years ago - at the end of July. Subtle changes in the Earth's orbit around the Sun, amplified by interactions with the atmosphere, ocean and land, are changing the climate beyond recognition.

The climate of the Sahara is extraordinary. The wet factor is the broad position of the Sahara north and south of the Tropic of the North. This explains the fact that most of the desert throughout the year is under the influence of the northeast trade wind. An additional influence on the climate is exerted by the Atlas mountain barrier located in the north, elongated from west to east and preventing the main mass of humid Mediterranean air from penetrating into the desert. In the south, from the side of the Gulf of Guinea, wet masses freely enter the Sahara in summer, which, gradually drying up, reach its central parts. The extreme dryness of the air, the enormous deficit of humidity, and, accordingly, the exceptionally high evapotranspiration are characteristic of the entire Sahara. According to the precipitation regime in the Sahara, three zones can be distinguished: northern, central and southern.

In the northern zone, precipitation falls in winter and their amount does not exceed 200 mm per year. To the south, their number decreases, and in the central zone they fall sporadically. Their average value does not exceed 20 mm. Sometimes there is no precipitation at all for 2-3 years. However, in such areas unexpected showers can occur, causing severe flooding. The aridity of the Sahara also varies in the latitudinal direction, from west to east. On the Atlantic coast heavy precipitation does not fall, as rare westerly winds are cooled by the Canary current passing along the coast. Fogs are frequent here. On the tops of mountain ranges and highlands, the amount of precipitation slightly increases due to the condensation of water vapor. Sahara distinguishes high degree evaporation. Its total annual value varies from 2500 to 5500 mm, which is more than 70 times the amount of precipitation.

The Sahara is characterized by high, one might say, record holders of air temperature. average temperature the coldest month - January, in almost all of the Sahara does not fall below 10 ° C. The average July temperature in the central part of the desert is 35 ° C. Temperatures above 50 ° C are noted in many places in the Sahara. The nights in the Sahara are cool, the temperature drops to 10-15 ° C. On the plains, the temperature rarely reaches minus 5 ° C. In the mountains, frosts are frequent. The daily amplitudes of air temperatures are very large - up to 30 ° C, and on the soil surface - up to 70 ° C. At the beginning of summer, hot sirocco winds blow in the north of the Sahara, which come from the central part of the desert. Strong winds cause dust and sand storms, the wind speed during a storm reaches 50 m/s. Masses of sand and small stones rise into the air, which greatly affect people and animals. Storms arise as suddenly as they end, leaving behind clouds of slowly settling dry dusty "fog". Tornadoes are also frequent in the Sahara.

The Sahara desert consists of one quarter volcanic mountains, one quarter sand, rocks and gravel plains, and small areas of permanent vegetation. Vegetation includes shrubs, grasses and trees in the highlands and in the oases along the riverbeds. Some of the plants are well adapted to this climate and grow within three days of rain, and sow their seeds within two weeks after that. Only a small part of the Sahara desert is fertile - these areas take moisture from underground rivers and oases.

The Sahara Desert is located in southeastern Africa and is the largest hot desert, the third largest after the Arctic and Antarctic deserts.

What is she really like?

The word "Sahara" in any person evokes associations with the breathing scorching heat of the African continent. Under the influence of stereotypes, the layman often judges this African desert one-sidedly. But she is completely different. Endless, stretching beyond the horizon line of sand with dunes and dunes rising on them, flat as a table, areas of salt marshes, rocky plateaus and oases immersed in greenery, exhausting daytime heat and piercing night cold, almost complete absence of moisture and violent floods during heavy rains . In the eastern part, the Nile River flows through the Sahara Desert, which served as the only source of life for the civilizations that lived along its banks in antiquity.

Why is the desert called the Sahara?

An interesting fact: this unique area owes its name to the nomadic Tuareg tribes that have lived here since time immemorial. Translated from the local dialect, "Sahara" means "desert area." The Sahara Desert, located in northern Africa, was first mentioned in documents dating back to the 1st century AD.

The area of ​​the Sahara Desert.

According to various sources, the area of ​​​​the Sahara desert is from 8.6 to 9.1 million km 2. Due to its vast territory and differences in climatic and relief conditions, the following deserts are distinguished in its composition:

• Nubian;
• Arabian;
• Talak;
• Libyan;
• Algerian.

Each of them has its own unique ecosystem, microclimate and unique topography.

The climate of the Sahara desert.

In the northern part of the desert, the climate is subtropical, in the southern - tropical. The average monthly winter temperature in the northern and southern parts of the Sahara reaches +13 degrees Celsius, in July it is +37.2 degrees Celsius. At the same time, temperature fluctuations in the northern part are much higher than in the southern part. The average daily temperature in the Sahara desert can reach +50 degrees in summer (the maximum is fixed at +57.8 degrees), while the surface of the earth warms up to 70-80 degrees Celsius. In mountainous areas, the temperature can drop to -18 degrees, so in winter the soil freezes at night, and occasionally even snow falls.

In the northern part, it rains from December to March, in the remaining months there is little rainfall. In the southern part, rains are observed mainly in summer, often accompanied by thunderstorms. Also in the desert there are often dust storms, in which the wind speed reaches 50 meters per second. In the western part of the Sahara Desert, humidity is increased and fogs are not uncommon.

In which countries is the Sahara Desert located?

Millions of tourists flock to touch the secrets that the Sahara hides and admire its grandeur every year. It stretched across several states. The list of the most visited countries where the Sahara Desert is located includes Morocco, Mauritania, Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria. Each of them has its own unique sights.

The Sahara Desert in Tunisia.

Tourists who came to Tunisia and want to see great desert, should visit the city of Douz, standing on the border of a flowering oasis and endless sands and being a kind of gateway to the Sahara Desert. As a reminder of this, on the outskirts of the city, near the Great Dune, there is a monument in the form of a symbolic key.

Tourists are offered a variety of excursion options. These can be one-hour camel rides to the nearest dune to the city or expeditions deep into the desert, designed for two weeks. Those wishing to see the Sahara from above are invited to fly on a hang glider. It is possible to breathe the spirit of the ancient desert in the distant oasis of Ksar Gilan with its thermal waters and date palms surrounded by dunes.

Here you can also see the ruins of an ancient Roman settlement and a defensive structure. And, taking a walk around the drying salt lake Chott el-Jerid, you can see the famous bizarre mirages of the Sahara desert.

As part of the tour, it is proposed to visit the filming locations of the Star Wars movie. An addition to the program is the opportunity to eat dates and buy a "desert rose" as a keepsake - a creation of sand, sun and wind, similar to a rosebud.

Sahara desert in Egypt.

Not all tourists who come to Egypt are interested in beaches, sea and sunbathing. Many of them buy tickets to get acquainted with the pyramid complex in the Giza Valley, take pictures against the backdrop of the grandiose and mysterious, and feel the magic of the desert. Travelers can visit the numerous oases of the Sahara desert.

In the city of Siwa, in addition to lush thickets of date palms growing near springs, you can see the remains of ancient fortresses built of unbaked clay and brick, as well as a temple dating back to the reign of Alexander the Great. According to local legends, somewhere here is the grave of this commander.

Most of the Southern Oases are ideal starting points for riding, driving or walking tours of the vast Black or White Deserts that are part of the vast Sahara. You can get close to the Crystal Mountains, which enchant travelers with their picturesqueness.

A visit to Bahariya, an oasis located in the western part of the Sahara Desert and consisting of several Bedouin villages, provides an opportunity to get acquainted with their way of life and customs. Some of the landscapes surrounding this oasis are reminiscent of the lunar surface, and thermal waters gush from hundreds of springs located near the main settlement.

In the oasis of Dakhla, located in the Nile Valley, knowledgeable tourists come to improve their health. There are many hot springs, the waters of which help to get rid of sciatica and some diseases of the stomach. And in the city of Muta there is the famous Ethnographic Museum, where you can learn in detail about the culture and customs of the people living here.

Travelers who find themselves in Morocco will certainly be attracted by the Draa Valley, which contains many oases. The main attraction here are the incredible landscapes that make up the red dunes and the ruins of ancient fortresses.

Once here was the final stop of caravans making the transition through the desert to the Mediterranean Sea. People come here to admire the eternal dunes - the virgin ergs of Shigaga. The path to this magnificent spectacle can be made both on an off-road vehicle and on camelback, but only as part of a group. You won't be able to reach this place on your own.

Sahara desert in Mauritania.

Traveling in the Mauritanian Sahara is quite dangerous due to the political situation in the country. But lovers of extreme sensations are attracted here by the Adrar plateau. It became famous after the beginning of the space age of mankind. From the depths of space, a grandiose structure called Gu-Er-Rishat is clearly visible on it. The diameter of this formation exceeds 50 km, and the age is more than 0.5 billion years. The origin of this phenomenon is still not exactly known. Previously, it was assumed that this was a trace of a meteorite impact, but today most scientists are inclined to the version of erosional origin. Although this place is remote from civilization, travel companies organize excursions here.

Sahara Desert in Algeria.

The largest area of ​​the Sahara desert went to a country like Algeria. Its endless sandy expanses occupy about 80% of the territory of the state.

Unfortunately, the tourism infrastructure in Algeria is underdeveloped, but travelers will be happy to visit numerous attractions, including the Tassil Mountains of the Sahara Desert with unique rock paintings protected by UNESCO, and the Mzab Valley with its unique architecture of all five cities located in it.

Despite popular belief, the Sahara desert on the map is by no means the largest in the world. In fact, in terms of its area, it is inferior to the Antarctic desert, but among the hot deserts and located on the inhabited continents, the Sahara is the undisputed leader.

Sahara desert on the map of the world and Africa

The Sahara is the greatest desert in the world, not by its size, but by its influence on history and modern life person. Mankind lived in the Sahara many millennia ago, as evidenced by more than 3 thousand rock paintings in various parts of the desert.

And now the Sahara has a huge impact on the political, economic and cultural life of North Africa.

Because of their huge The size of the Sahara is characterized by a rather diverse climate, soil type, living conditions and local inhabitants - from the Arabs in the north to the Negro peoples in the south of the desert.

What continent is it on?

The Sahara is located in the northern part African continent and extends from the coast in the north to the tropical savannas of the Sahel in the south at 16 ° N. sh., from the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the east of the continent.

Which country does it belong to?

The following African states are wholly or partially located on the territory of the Sahara:

• Libya;
• Tunisia;
• Algeria;
• West Sahara;
• Mauritania;
• Mali;
• Niger;
• Chad;
• Sudan.

History of origin and name

Scientists believe that in 5th-4th millennium BC e. trees grew on the territory of the Sahara, the earth's surface was covered with grasses and shrubs, and water resources were represented by numerous lakes.

Presumably, complex desertification began at the same time due to a decrease in moisture and the predominance of evaporation of moisture over precipitation.

Cause it could be like natural factors(climate change) and anthropogenic factor- the transition of local tribes to the pastoral type of animal husbandry, which led to desertification. On the other hand, such a transition could be caused by the transformation of the once flourishing savannahs into a desert.

Be that as it may, for about a thousand years The Sahara turned into a desert, and the process of desertification was completed by the middle of the 3rd millennium BC. e.

The name Sahara is believed to be derived from the Arabic word "ṣaḥārā" which means "desert". Another version of the origin of the name is from the Arabic "sahra", which means "red-brown". The name of the desert has been recorded since the 1st century AD. e. after the Arabic-speaking tribes reached the Sahara.

If acquaintance with the Sahara is accompanied by a vacation in Tunisia, then find out which weather in the country by months.

Climatic conditions

The climate of the Sahara deserted(arid), feature which is the predominance of evaporation processes over humidification processes.

The southern part of the desert has dry tropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The amount of precipitation per year is usually about 130 mm. AT winter time at night the air temperature can drop below zero, and in summer it often reaches +50°C.

The northern part of the desert has dry subtropical climate with hot summers and relatively cold winter. The average air temperature in summer reaches +37°C, and in winter in mountainous areas it can drop to -18°C. This part of the desert is characterized by high daily fluctuations in air temperature due to night cooling. Average annual quantity precipitation does not exceed 75 mm.

Sandy sea - what is it?

Sahara - active desert, which annually increases its area, moving south by 10 km.

Characteristics of the Endless Sands

About a quarter of the sugar is made up of sand dunes, a quarter - from mountains of volcanic origin, and half from barren rocky plains and rocks. The area of ​​the territory of sustainable vegetation does not exceed a few percent.

One of the reasons for the dryness of the Sahara is the presence of the Atlas Mountains in the north of the desert, which block the access of humid Mediterranean air to the Sahara.

The central part of the Sahara, where the least amount of annual precipitation is observed (no more than 20 mm per year) is one of the most lifeless places on earth. The average biomass in this part of the desert drops to 2 kg/ha or less.

Square the desert is almost 9 million km², which is equal to almost 30% of the territory of Africa. The desert stretches for 4.8 thousand km from west to east and for 1.2 thousand km from north to south.

Water sources in the Sahara are:

1. artesian groundwater, above the surface of which oases are located;
2. rainwater, which fills gelts (ponds or natural puddles) and wadis (drying channels of ancient rivers filled with rainwater);
3. major rivers on the outskirts of the desert (Nile, Niger).

Flora and fauna

A significant part of the desert has no vegetation at all and is a classic sand. Mostly dry climate-resistant plants grow in oases and high-altitude areas (grass, small shrubs and trees). Oases grow a variety of cultivated plants: dates, olives, figs, vegetables.

Fauna The Sahara is mainly represented by various species of rodents and reptiles, as well as birds, more than half of which are migratory. To large mammal include antelopes, rams, Nubian donkey. Predators - spotted hyena and cheetah. Most of the animals of the Sahara are active at night, when the heat is not so great.

For those wishing to visit the deeper places of the Sahara, it is recommended to get to Erga Shigaga- a conglomerate of sand dunes in the heart of the Moroccan Sahara. There is a campground here, where tourists can expect all the benefits of civilization available in the desert.

Picturesque Shigaga, which measures 30 by 15 km, exceeds any expectations: countless untouched dunes, almost devoid of vegetation, stretch to the end of the horizon.

Another popular route in the Moroccan Sahara is a trip to Ergu Shebbi through the village of Merzouga. Erg Chebbi is as colorful as Shigagu, but getting to him is a little more difficult.

Mauritania

Mauritania is located almost entirely within the Sahara, but trips here are rare due to the poverty of the local population, the lack of infrastructure and the rather high crime rate in the country.

For those who decide on a tour to this exotic country, it will be interesting to visit Adrar plateau The in which the list objects are located world heritage UNESCO - the villages of Ouadan and Chinguetti. On the plateau itself, despite its lifelessness, there are more than 20 large oases, including the rather large city of Atar.

Algeria

Algeria is a country with greatest the territory of the Sahara in its composition, more than 80% of the country's area is occupied by the desert.

The most stunning desert landscapes are located in the southeastern part of Algiers at the foot of the Tassili mountains.

Tassil Plateau- one of the objects of the UNESCO list, the oldest petroglyphs were found in local caves, the age of which is from 2 to 9 thousand years.

Others man-made attractions Algerian Sahara are:

1. city ​​of Ouargla;
2. Mzab valley with fortified cities.

These settlements are of great value from a historical and architectural point of view and were founded and built up in the 10th century. Ibadis- a branch of Muslims, different from Sunnis and Shiites.

Of the natural attractions of the Algerian part of the Sahara stands out Ahaggar highlands in the south of Algeria, consisting of volcanic remnants of bizarre forms. Open on site national park Ahaggar, and the guides of tourists are locals Tuareg, to get acquainted with the peculiar culture of which will be interesting to any tourist.

Borders

Of course, a desert of this size could not occupy the territory of one or two African countries. It captures Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia and Chad.

From the west, the Sahara is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, from the north it is bounded by the Atlas Mountains and mediterranean sea and from the east by the Red Sea. The southern border of the desert is defined by a zone of inactive ancient sand dunes at 16 ° N, south of which is the Sahel - a transitional region to the Sudanese savannah.

Regions

It is difficult to attribute the Sahara to any particular type of desert, although the sandy-stony type prevails here. The following regions are distinguished in its composition: Tenere, Great Eastern Erg, Great Western Erg, Tanezruft, Hamada-el-Hamra, Erg-Igidi, Erg-Shesh, Arabian, Algerian, Libyan, Nubian deserts, Talak desert.

Climate

The climate of the Sahara is unique and is due to its location in the zone of high-altitude anticyclones, descending air currents and dry trade winds. northern hemisphere. It rarely rains in the desert, and the air is dry and hot. The sky of the Sahara is cloudless, but it will not surprise travelers with blue transparency, since the finest dust is constantly in the air. Intense solar exposure and evaporation during the day gives way to strong radiation at night. At first, the sand heats up to 70 ° C, it radiates with heat from the rocks, and in the evening the surface of the Sahara cools much faster than air. The average temperature in July is 35°.

High temperature, with its sharp fluctuations, and very dry air make being in the desert very difficult. Only from December to February comes the "Saharan winter" - a period with relatively cool weather. In winter, temperatures in the Northern Sahara can drop below 0° at night, although during the day it rises to 25°. Sometimes it even snows here.

Desert nature

Despite the fact that the desert is usually represented as a continuous layer of hot sand that forms dunes, the Sahara has a slightly different relief. In the center of the desert, mountain ranges rise, more than 3 km high, but along the outskirts, pebbly, rocky, clay and sandy deserts have formed, in which there is practically no vegetation. It is there that nomads live, driving herds of camels across rare pastures.

The vegetation of the Sahara consists of bushes, grasses and trees in the highlands and oases located along the riverbeds. Some plants have fully adapted to the harsh climate and grow within 3 days after rain, and then sown seeds for 2 weeks. At the same time, only a small part of the desert is fertile - these areas take moisture from underground rivers.

The well-known one-humped camels, some of which were domesticated by nomads, still live in small herds, feeding on cactus thorns and parts of other desert plants. But these are not the only ungulates living in the desert. Pronghorn Addaxes, Maned Rams, Dorcas gazelles and Oryx antelopes, whose curved horns are almost as long as their bodies, are also well adapted to survive in such difficult conditions. The light color of the wool allows them not only to escape from the heat during the day, but also not to freeze at night.

Several species of rodents, including the gerbil, the Abessinian hare, which comes to the surface only at dusk, and hides in burrows during the day, the jerboa, which has surprisingly long legs, allowing it to move with huge jumps like a kangaroo.

Predators also live in the Sahara desert, the largest of which is the fennec fox - a small fox with wide ears. Also there live dune cats, horned vipers and rattlesnakes, leaving winding traces on the surface of the sand, and many other species of animals.

Video: From Casablanca to the Sahara

Sahara in the movies

The mesmerizing landscapes of the Sahara never cease to attract filmmakers. Many films were shot on the territory of Tunisia, and the creators of two famous paintings left a memory of themselves among the sands. The planet Tatooine is not actually lost in space, but is located in the Sahara. Here is a whole “out of this world” village from the latest series “ star wars". At the end of filming, the "aliens" left their homes, and now bizarre dwellings and a gas station for interplanetary aircraft are at the disposal of rare tourists. In the neighborhood of Tatooine, the white Arab house from The English Patient is still visible. You can get here only by jeep and with an experienced guide, because you have to drive off-road, with a complete lack of signs and landmarks. Fans of The English Patient need to hurry a little more and the ruthless dune will finally bury this unusual attraction under the sand.

The air temperature in summer rises to 58°C, and in winter it remains within the range of 15-28°C.

Sand dust from the Sahara strong winds, during frequent sandstorms, can even deliver to Europe.

An interesting fact is that there are maps on which areas where mirages are observed are marked. And there are more than 150 thousand of them in the Sahara!

The mysterious and almost mystical eye of the Sahara.

Map of the ancient Sahara.

Vegetation

The vegetation cover of the Sahara has 1200 plant species. Most of them are xerophytes or ephemera. Rocky areas seem lifeless, but even on such seemingly unrealistic soil, you can find plants that amaze with their ability to adapt to the harsh conditions of the desert.

The Jericho rose is a plant whose short branches seem to be pinching its seeds. When it's raining, these “fingers” open and the seeds fall into moist soil, where they germinate very quickly.

The seeds of other plants also use every drop of moisture, but if there are no favorable conditions, they can even sit in dry ground for several years.

Lichens, small plants with thorns and small leaves, creep on the sands and on the stones. Grey, grey-green and yellow tones of the vegetation cover give a lifeless, sad look to the entire desert.

Shrubs and some tough grasses appear near the southern border of the Sahara, while wild pistachios, jujubes and oleanders can be found in the north.

Animal world

The fauna of the Sahara is poor in species, but quite rich in individuals. It includes animals that can move quickly in search of food and water, and can also endure all the harsh conditions of the desert.

The most typical for the Sahara are oryx and addax antelopes, dama gazelle, dorcas gazelle, mountain goats. Because of their valuable skins and tasty meat some species are at the stage of extinction.

Most famous predators- these are jackals, foxes, hyenas, cheetahs.

There are also birds - migratory and permanently living. Among the permanent residents, the desert raven is especially popular.

Reptiles are dominated by lizards, as well as many snakes and turtles. And in some reservoirs, real crocodiles have been preserved.

Of course, it is very difficult to live in the conditions of the Sahara, but for many it is their native land, so they can feel not only the severity, but also the caress of the desert.

Watch the video: Fearless Planet - Sahara Desert (Discovery: Fearless Planet. Episode 1 Sahara Desert).

Sahara. Salt caravan of the Tuareg. Jim Brasher lives the life of a Tuareg in a salt caravan in the middle of the Sahara Desert.

In the wilds of Africa-2. 3 series. Sahara. Life on the edge / Sahara. Life On The Edge