The Sahara was once a "Green Paradise." Around 11,000 years ago, it featured lush forests, grassy plains, lakes, and rivers.
The Sahara is the world's largest hot desert and the third-largest desert overall, following the cold deserts of Antarctica and the Arctic. Spanning approximately 3.6 million square miles (9.4 million square kilometers), it covers nearly one-third of the African continent—an area roughly the size of the United States. Geography and Environment Sahara
: The Sahara is one of the harshest environments on Earth. Daytime Highs : Temperatures regularly exceed ) in summer. The Sahara was once a "Green Paradise