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About 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by water, a vital resource for life. However, there are regions that receive less than 0.09 inches (2 millimeters) of rainfall annually, classifying them as hyper-arid deserts. In some cases, these areas go for years without rainfall, making them nearly impossible to inhabit.
Incredibly, 35% of the Earth's land is covered by deserts, making them more widespread than many might realize. Let's dive into the 10 driest places on Earth.
10. Pelican Point, Namibia
Pelican Point, Namibia, is renowned for its beautiful sand dunes and offers an unusual attraction despite its extreme dryness. While it ranks among the driest places on Earth, it still draws tourists from around the world eager to surf the sandy dunes that stretch into the Atlantic Ocean.
One of the main reasons tourists are drawn to Pelican Point is its agreeable climate. Unlike many other destinations on this list, the temperatures here remain moderate, never too hot nor too cold. On average, the region receives around an inch (23 millimeters) of rain annually, ensuring that locals and visitors alike enjoy clear skies for most of the year.
This location enjoys an impressive 2,646 hours of sunshine annually. Based on the Koppen-Geiger climate classification, Pelican Point is categorized as BWk (cold desert climate), meaning it is considered an arid, cool desert.
9. Aoulef, Algeria
Aoulef is not the place for those who aren't accustomed to the heat. This town is known for its long, scorching summers and relatively short winters, which still maintain higher temperatures compared to other regions.
Classified as BWh (hot desert climate) in the Koppen climate system, Aoulef experiences extreme heat in July, with temperatures climbing as high as 111.4°F (44.1°C) at their peak and never dropping below 90.7°F (32.6°C) even at night.
One of the main reasons this town made the list is its extreme aridity, receiving just 0.05 inches (12.9 millimeters) of rain each year. This makes it almost impossible to escape the intense heat. The lack of rainfall has resulted in vast stretches of sand dunes that glisten under the sun’s rays, particularly during sunrise and sunset. Tourists flock here to witness the mesmerizing beauty of the landscape.
8. Dry Valleys, Antarctica
Surprisingly, one of the driest places on Earth lies at the South Pole. The Dry Valleys, as they are called, are a group of valleys characterized by extremely low humidity and an almost complete absence of ice cover.
The unique climate of the Dry Valleys is caused by katabatic winds. In simple terms, these winds blow dense, moist air downward at speeds of up to 199 mph (320 km/h), driven by gravity. As the air descends, it heats up, and by the time it reaches the ground, it's hot enough to cause the evaporation of both water and ice.
Spanning over an impressive 2,900 square miles (4,800 square kilometers), the Dry Valleys form the largest ice-free zone in Antarctica. Surrounded by the towering Transantarctic Mountains, the area is shielded from rain clouds and prevents seaward-flowing ice from reaching the rivers in the valleys.
The Dry Valleys are largely uninhabited, primarily due to the extreme dryness of the environment. Even if you can handle the arid conditions, finding fresh water is a major hurdle, as some regions in the valley may go for years without experiencing any rainfall.
7. Aswan, Egypt
With an average annual rainfall of just 0.033 inches (0.861 millimeters), Aswan, located in southern Egypt, is undoubtedly one of the driest places on the planet. As is typical of much of Egypt, it has a hot desert climate, with Aswan experiencing some of the hottest summer days. Despite the oppressive climate, Aswan boasts one of the busiest markets in Egypt and attracts many visitors.
The soaring temperatures in Aswan can be partly attributed to its proximity to the Tropic of Cancer. During the summer, average temperatures can reach as high as 107.0°F (41.9°C), with the lowest dropping no lower than 77.0°F (25°C). However, winter brings a dramatic shift, with temperatures plummeting to as low as 46.4°F (8°C). As a result, the summer heat can be unbearable, while winter provides a more pleasant climate, making it the peak tourist season.
In addition to being one of the driest cities, Aswan also has some of the lowest humidity levels. On average, the humidity hovers around 26%, with occasional peaks of 42% and lows as low as 16%. Thanks to the low humidity, Aswan enjoys clear skies year-round, with an impressive 4,000 hours of sunshine annually.
6. Atacama Desert, Chile
The Atacama Desert in Chile is renowned for its stunning scenery, featuring gleaming sand and mesmerizing beaches. However, what most visitors don't realize is that it also ranks among the driest places on Earth. For instance, Calama, one of its towns, went without rainfall for an astonishing 400 years, from 1570 until 1971. Even the areas that do receive rain average only about 0.04 inches (10 millimeters) annually.
The Atacama stretches along the South American coast for more than 600 miles (965 kilometers). Some of its towns occasionally experience thick fogs that help moderate temperatures, but the region still has an average annual humidity of 75%, one of the highest on this list.
The Atacama is surrounded by towering mountains, yet none of them have glaciers, further underscoring its extreme dryness. This lack of precipitation is primarily due to the cold Humboldt currents, which prevent the formation of clouds.
Despite its arid conditions, the Atacama remains a top tourist destination for those who are captivated by vast stretches of barren desert. Every few years, the region experiences a remarkable phenomenon where rainfall creates vibrant mauve-pink vegetation across parts of the desert. However, this lush display is brief, often disappearing in under two weeks.
5. Ica, Peru
Ica, located in southern Peru, serves as the capital of the Ica Department, a region renowned for its arid conditions. Situated on the edge of the Atacama Desert, its dry climate is unsurprising. Interestingly, the area wasn't always this parched; approximately 30 million years ago, it was much wetter. Fossils of whales found over 2,000 feet (600 meters) above sea level offer evidence of this wetter climate. Additionally, Ica was home to an extinct species of penguin that reached 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length.
Today, the area remains too dry to sustain most vegetation, yet tourism is the backbone of its economy. Visitors flock to Ica during the colder months to surf on the expansive sand dunes, hike through its mountains, and explore the scenic sights.
A unique aspect of Ica is its mummies, which have been preserved due to the region's extreme dryness. The lack of humidity (averaging 35%) and minimal precipitation (about 0.11 inches or 2.9 millimeters annually) make it difficult for bodies to decompose, thus preserving them for centuries.
4. Wadi Halfa, Sudan
Wadi Halfa, a small town in northern Sudan with a sparse population, experiences an astonishing 4,300 hours of blazing sunshine each year, making it one of the hottest and driest places globally. Situated within the Namibian Desert, which is part of the Sahara Desert, it's hardly surprising that the town suffers from extreme dryness.
The relentless sunshine in Wadi Halfa leads to one of the highest evaporation rates in the world, reaching up to 233 inches (5,930 millimeters). Temperatures in this region average around 80.6°F (27°C) during the cooler months but rise significantly in the hotter months, soaring to 118°F (48°C).
A common trait shared by many cities on this list, including Wadi Halfa, is the absence of substantial vegetation growth and the scarcity of clouds. As a result, the region sees an extremely low level of annual precipitation, averaging under 0.1 inches (2.45 millimeters).
3. Arica, Chile
Arica is widely regarded as one of the driest cities on the continent. Despite receiving an average annual rainfall of only 0.03 inches (0.761 millimeters), it serves as a port city. The region's lack of rain and frequent cloud cover results in unusually high humidity levels, similar to those found in equatorial regions, though the sunlight remains as intense as it is in the Northern Sahara Desert.
Arica is situated at the “African bend” along the western coast of South America. The region is characterized by high humidity, which makes the air feel damp. However, the moisture rarely reaches the ground because the prevailing winds from the Atacama Desert carry the moisture away and replace it with hot, dry air.
2. Luxor, Egypt
Luxor, a city in Egypt, derives its name from the Arabic word meaning 'the palaces.' The city is renowned for its ancient landmarks, including the largest open-air museum in the world, stunning temples, and its position as one of the driest regions globally.
During the summer months of June, July, and August, temperatures in Luxor can easily exceed 104°F (40°C). On the flip side, the lows can drop to around 71.6°F (22°C). With such extreme temperature fluctuations, it's best to avoid visiting during the peak of summer unless you're comfortable with the harsh climate.
The climate in Luxor remains dry throughout the year, with some areas going without rainfall for over a year at a time. The average humidity is relatively low, sitting at 39.9% annually, reaching a high of 57% in winter and dropping to 27% during the summer. Regardless of the season, Luxor remains an appealing destination for visitors.
Luxor enjoys year-round brightness, with an impressive total of up to 4,000 hours of sunshine annually. To put this in perspective, this figure is nearly equivalent to the theoretical maximum duration of sunlight anywhere on Earth.
1. Rub Al-Khali, Arabia
The Rub Al-Khali, also known as the Empty Quarter, is an expansive sand desert in the Arabian Peninsula. Its vastness is striking, stretching about 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) in length and 321 miles (500 kilometers) in width. The landscape is predominantly composed of towering sand dunes and wide gypsum plains, creating a stunning, often-photographed scenery.
The area is dotted with ancient, dried-up lake beds, believed to have once been filled with water around 4,000 years ago. Because of this, the terrain is treacherous and should only be navigated with professional guidance. Despite the challenges, tourists flock to the Rub Al-Khali to enjoy a variety of activities available to them.
The extreme climate of the Rub Al-Khali places it among the most arid regions on Earth. Falling under the ‘hyper-arid’ category, the desert sees annual rainfall of less than 1.4 inches (36 millimeters), making it nearly impossible for any significant vegetation or water bodies to thrive here.
The average humidity in this town hovers around 30% annually, ranking it as one of the driest places in terms of moisture in the air. Additionally, the average temperature is 97°F (36°C), though some years can see it soar to an intense 124°F (51°C).
