Q. How much of the Earth's land surface is desert?
✅ Correct Answer: (C)
1/5th
Explanation: Deserts cover about 33% (or 1/3rd) of the Earth's land surface. A desert is defined as an area receiving less than 250 mm (10 inches) of rainfall per year.
Breakdown of Earth's Surface:
Total Earth's surface area: ~510 million sq km
Land area: ~149 million sq km (~29% of Earth's surface)
Desert area: ~50 million sq km (~33% of land area)
Types of Deserts:
1. Hot Deserts:
Sahara Desert (Africa) – Largest hot desert (~9.2 million sq km)
Arabian Desert (Middle East)
Kalahari Desert (Africa)
Australian Desert (Australia)
2. Cold Deserts:
Antarctic Desert (Antarctica) – Largest overall (~14 million sq km)
Arctic Desert (Arctic region)
Gobi Desert (Mongolia & China)
Since deserts occupy about 1/3rd of the Earth's land area, the correct answer is:
✔ (D) 1/3rd
Breakdown of Earth's Surface:
Total Earth's surface area: ~510 million sq km
Land area: ~149 million sq km (~29% of Earth's surface)
Desert area: ~50 million sq km (~33% of land area)
Types of Deserts:
1. Hot Deserts:
Sahara Desert (Africa) – Largest hot desert (~9.2 million sq km)
Arabian Desert (Middle East)
Kalahari Desert (Africa)
Australian Desert (Australia)
2. Cold Deserts:
Antarctic Desert (Antarctica) – Largest overall (~14 million sq km)
Arctic Desert (Arctic region)
Gobi Desert (Mongolia & China)
Since deserts occupy about 1/3rd of the Earth's land area, the correct answer is:
✔ (D) 1/3rd
Explanation by: Mr. Dubey
Deserts cover about 33% (or 1/3rd) of the Earth's land surface. A desert is defined as an area receiving less than 250 mm (10 inches) of rainfall per year.
Breakdown of Earth's Surface:
Total Earth's surface area: ~510 million sq km
Land area: ~149 million sq km (~29% of Earth's surface)
Desert area: ~50 million sq km (~33% of land area)
Types of Deserts:
1. Hot Deserts:
Sahara Desert (Africa) – Largest hot desert (~9.2 million sq km)
Arabian Desert (Middle East)
Kalahari Desert (Africa)
Australian Desert (Australia)
2. Cold Deserts:
Antarctic Desert (Antarctica) – Largest overall (~14 million sq km)
Arctic Desert (Arctic region)
Gobi Desert (Mongolia & China)
Since deserts occupy about 1/3rd of the Earth's land area, the correct answer is:
✔ (D) 1/3rd
Breakdown of Earth's Surface:
Total Earth's surface area: ~510 million sq km
Land area: ~149 million sq km (~29% of Earth's surface)
Desert area: ~50 million sq km (~33% of land area)
Types of Deserts:
1. Hot Deserts:
Sahara Desert (Africa) – Largest hot desert (~9.2 million sq km)
Arabian Desert (Middle East)
Kalahari Desert (Africa)
Australian Desert (Australia)
2. Cold Deserts:
Antarctic Desert (Antarctica) – Largest overall (~14 million sq km)
Arctic Desert (Arctic region)
Gobi Desert (Mongolia & China)
Since deserts occupy about 1/3rd of the Earth's land area, the correct answer is:
✔ (D) 1/3rd