Hot winds. Shiſt ing sand. Scorching sun. You’re in the Sahara now. It is the largest hot desert on Earth. T e sun beats down. You’re dressed for sun,


though. You’ve covered yourself from head to toe in long, loose-fi tting clothes. You’ve wrapped a long scarf around your head. You can use it to cover your face, too. By midday, the temperature may rise above 50º Celsius (122º Fahrenheit). T ese clothes will help you keep cool. Ahead of you, a large lizard climbs up a


steep, golden sand dune. As you follow it, you try walking on the side of the dune that faces the wind. T e sand is fi rmer here. T e wind has pressed the grains of sand together. Look around when you reach the top. Dunes


are in every direction. T ey cover one fourth of this desert. Rocky soil lies beneath them.


Like all deserts, rain is hard to come by.


Most years, less than 7.6 centimeters (3 inches) of rain falls in the Sahara. Even if it falls, that doesn’t mean you’ll feel it. Sometimes the sun is so hot that falling rain evaporates before it hits the ground. Your water supply is running low, but don’t


worry. Even in this desert, water can be found. As you stumble your way through the shiſt ing sand, you fi nd an oasis. Here, water is stored deep underground. It rises to the surface and makes a small pool. Short plants and tall palm trees circle the pool. T e taller date palm trees shade the smaller peach trees. T is is good news for you. Now you can


have water and a snack. However, you’ll have to share. A group of camels has found the oasis, too. T ey drink from the pool.


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