Kalahari Desert Facts and Features

The Kalahari Desert, a large semi-arid region in southern Africa, spans approximately 900,000 square kilometers. It is the second largest desert in Africa and the sixth largest globally. The desert's name originates from the Tswana language, meaning 'the great thirst.' The Kalahari Basin includes the Okavango River delta and extends into several countries. The desert's maximum north-south extent is 1,600 kilometers, with an average elevation of 900 meters. The Okavango River is the only permanent river flowing through it. The Kalahari is considered the second oldest desert, forming 60-80 million years ago. It merges with the Namib Desert and is classified as a semi-arid savannah due to varying rainfall, with some areas receiving more than 20 inches annually.

What is the approximate size of the Kalahari Desert?

• 500,000 square kilometers

• 900,000 square kilometers

• 700,000 square kilometers

• 1,200,000 square kilometers

What does the name 'Kalahari' mean in the Tswana language?

• The great thirst

• The endless sand

• The dry land

• The vast desert

Which countries are part of the larger Kalahari Basin?

• None of the above

• Both A and B

• Angola, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

• Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa

What is the only permanent river flowing through the Kalahari Desert?

• Okavango River

• Limpopo River

• Zambezi River

• Orange River

How old is the Kalahari Desert estimated to be?

• 40 to 50 million years

• 20 to 30 million years

• 60 to 80 million years

• 100 to 120 million years

Which desert does the Kalahari merge with on Africa's Atlantic Coast?

• Thar Desert

• Gobi Desert

• Namib Desert

• Sahara Desert

Why is the Kalahari not considered a true desert?

• It has a large number of rivers

• It has a high population density

• It receives more than 10 inches of rain annually

• It is a semi-arid savannah

What is the minimum annual rainfall received by the southwestern part of the Kalahari?

• 20 inches

• 5 inches

• 15 inches

• 10 inches

How does the rainfall vary across the Kalahari Desert?

• Uniformly distributed

• More in the north, less in the southwest

• More in the southwest, less in the north

• No rainfall variation

What classification is given to the Kalahari due to its rainfall and vegetation?

• Semi-arid sandy savannah

• Tropical rainforest

• Temperate grassland

• True desert