When people think of deserts, the Sahara usually comes to mind first – and, in fact, the word sahara means “desert.”
The Sahara is the largest desert in the world – almost the size of the entire United States! This vast desert is not only sand, sand, and more sand. There are also mountain ranges that rise to a height of 11,204 feet. Gravelly plains and rocky plateaus make up most of the desert’s landscape. Only scattered oases (places where trees grow and people live because of underground water) and the cultivated lands along the Nile River break up the monotony.
Around the first century C.E., camels were brought to the Sahara from the Middle East. Long camel caravans trekked across the desert from north to south carrying cloth, glass, salt, and other products, and from south to north carrying gold, leather, pepper, cloth, kola nuts, and enslaved persons. Today, although there are several desert highways, camel caravans still cross the vast wasteland. One such caravan is about to leave. Hitch up one of these sturdy animals. Put a load of 350 pounds on its back. Bring along lots of water, and be sure to wear light clothes and cover your entire body. It’s very, very hot, and a person who isn’t prepared won’t last long!
