Which desert is recognized as the largest in the world, located in North and Central Africa?

The Sahara Desert is recognized as the largest desert in the world, covering a vast area of approximately 9.2 million square kilometers (3.6 million square miles) across North and Central Africa. It spans several countries, including Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Sudan, and Tunisia. The Sahara's immense size and unique geographical features, such as sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and salt flats, contribute to its status as the largest hot desert.

The other deserts mentioned are significant in their own right but do not compare to the Sahara in size. The Atacama Desert, located in Chile, is known as one of the driest places on Earth but is much smaller in area. The Sonoran Desert, found in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, is also smaller and distinct in its own right due to its biodiversity. The Kalahari Desert, situated in Southern Africa, is notable but again lacks the vast expanse of the Sahara. Thus, the Sahara confidently holds the title of the largest desert in the world.