The Namib Desert

desert · Africa · ancient · coastal

Stretches for miles. The Namib Desert runs along the Atlantic coast of three countries: Angola, Namibia, and South Africa. It's more than 2,000 kilometers long, which is longer than the entire United States is wide.

Incredibly ancient. The Namib has been a desert for roughly 55 to 80 million years, making it possibly the oldest desert in the world. That means it was already super dry when dinosaurs went extinct.

Bone-dry conditions. Some parts of the Namib get almost no rain at all, receiving only 2 millimeters per year. That's less rain than many places get in a single rainstorm.

Rises toward cliffs. Starting from the ocean, the Namib gradually slopes upward as you move inland, climbing up to 200 kilometers until it reaches a steep wall of cliffs called the Great Escarpment.

Protected by law. Most of Namibia's part of the Namib Desert is protected by the country's constitution, meaning the government works to keep it safe from harmful damage.