12 Life in the Deserts

My Learning Aim!
Deserts
The Sahara
Ladakh

We know deserts are

extremely dry areas with
little or no vegetation. Desert, a hot desert, of Africa
Deserts receive very and Ladakh, a
cold desert, in Jammuand Kashmir,
low rainfall;,
they have very low India.
humidity and high_daytime atmospheric
Almost all the
temperature. The Sahara
deserts are located between
1of
and 30 parallel latitudes
north and south Land
the equator. The word Sahara is derived from Arabic
word
On the basis of temperature, sehra which means 'desert'. Located in North
be classified as deserts can Africa, it is the largest desert in
hot desert and cold desert. the world. Its
not deserts are total area is
about lakh sa,kkm. The Sahara
85
characterized by high is bordered in the west by
enperature, very low rainfall the Atlantic Ocean,
Winds. and strong in the north by the Atlas Mountains and
They are located
areas.
For
in the tropical Mediterranean
o,
Sea, in the east by the Red
KalahariO example, the Sahara Desert, Sea, and in the south by the Sahela semi
Desert, the Arabian Desert, the Thar
eert, etc. Whereas the cod deserts arid region. It is spread through countries like
characterized are Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania,
by low temperature and jce Morocco, Niger, Western Sahara, Sudan and
er. They are
ànd
d coldpolar
near the temperate
located Tunisia. It covers about one-fourth of the
Det, Antarctica,
regions. For example, Ladakh, African continent. Most of theSahara consists
etc.
Inthis lesson of vast rocky plains and plateaus. Sand dunes
teatures we
shall study about physical form a small part of the Sahara. The desert
and
example of human life in deserts through landform consists of various features
like

twO deserts viz. the Sahara seas (erg), stone plateau

sand dunes, sand
Deserts 191
Life in the
(hamada), gravel covered plains (reg), dry riverinthe world, is the most important river
in the region. It flows along the eastern parts
valleys (wadi), dry lakes (oued) and salt flats
of the Sahara into the Mediterranean Sea.
(shatt or chott). There are many mountains The river Niger is another important river in
and mountain ranges in the Sahara Iike
Sahran Atlas, Ahaggar Mountains, Tibesti the Sahara; originating in Guinea Highlands
Mountains, etc. Thehighest peakin the Sahara it flows through Western Africa, into
is Emi Koussi in the Tibesti range of Chad. Atlantic Ocean. Lake Chad, an economically
important lake, is the only freshwater lake
in

Being a desert, most of the rivers or streams

are seasonal or intermittent. Nile, the longest the Sahara Desert.
VIuHKEY
Alaztte
Ocedn ALGIERS TÚNIS GREECE sYRIÀ
RABAT Sed
TUHISIA Medtteranean
ATLAS ISRAELS
MOROCCO
STRIPOLI
MTS QATÍARA
SAUDI
ALGERIA DEPRESSION CAÍRO
LIBYA ABABIA
EGYPT
WESTERN
SAHARA
SAH ARA DESERT LIBYAN
DESERT
(dispted Lake
AHAGGAR
TIBESTI Nasser
MASSIF
( NUBIAN
MAURITAMIA rMTS.
MAL tErni Kouss Ni1e) DESERT
kNOUAKCHOTT
HIGER
ERTREA
Sérégal CNiger sHEL
KHARTOUM
BAMAKD (NIAMEY CHAD
JsURKINA Lake
Chsd NDJAMENAS
FASO SUDAN
GUINEA, GENIN

CENTRAL'
AFRICAN
CAMERON REPUBLIC
400 Tkm TOGO
mi nEN. BEP OF

The Sahara Desert Sand dunes

Know More!

It is believed that life on the earth started from Africa and thousands ofyears back it had enough water to sustair
many people and animals. The evidence of fossils of various water animals like crocodile and the prehistoric
paintings of plants proves this fact.

Climate vary a great deal in the Sahara Desert. During

Being the world's largest hot desert, Sahara the day, temperatures may reach beyond 50
has one of the world's most severe climates. while after sunset temperatures fall very
C

It experiences generally hot and dry climate. quickly and may fall below freezing point.
The summers are very hot all over the desert; The Sahara receives very scanty rainfall. Some
the winters are mild in the Northern Sahara, areas receive no rain for several years. The
andmild anddry in the Southern part. variations in the rainfall is evident by the fact
The Sahara is one of the hottest regions in that rainfall is received by northern regions
the world. The average annual temperature in the winter_and southern regions in
the
is about 30° in summers temperature goes
C;
Summer. The average annual rainfallreceived
beyond 50 C ALAzizia, a place in Libya, is by the Sahara is not more
than cm.
25
believed to be the hottest in the world as the
Flora and Fauna
highest temperate ever, 58G was recorded
at thisplace. The day and night temperatures The high temperatures and arid conditions
make survival o
natural vegetation dificult.
192 Pragmatic Social
Studies -7
 vegetation of Sahara consists of Agriculture
natural is practised in oasis. The areas
where irrigation
andscatteredo
dconcentration ofgrasses is possible, crops like millets,
The
sparse most of which are drought and barley, wheat, etc., and
vegetables are grown.
Shrubs, Agriculture is also practised
d resistant. Plants here have adapted by people living
cope up with the scarcity of close to the Nile valley.
heat
themselves iogrow close to the ground, have
They waxy leaves.
water.
thick barks andismall
roots, may be found in oasis.
long
like date palms
found here are olive, cypress,
Trees
Other
trees
baobab and, acacia.
thyme,
called 'the
Camel alsO
desert', is
ship of the
important
the most River Nile

animal found in the The Sahara region is rich in minerals. Copper,

animals iron ore, manganese, uranium, coal, oll and
desert. Other
found here are jackal, natural gas are found in large scale here.
antelopes, Jackal Countries like Libya, Egypt and Algeria export
hyenas are
gazelles, hares, etc. Birds found here oil. The important cities are
ar Cairo (the capital

bustards, owls, raptors, fowls, ostriches,

etc. of Egypt), Timbuktu (an urban centre in Mali)
p
and Tripoli (chieffport and capital of Libya).
Info Sahara deserts covers 8 per cent of
Bell the total land area, and the desert Ladakh
shrinks and expands because of the
changes in the climate. Land
Ladakh is the high altitude region in the state
of Jammu and Kashmir in India. It is enclosed
People and Economy
by the Karakoram Mountain range in the
The Sahara Desert and its margins are
north and the Great Himalayas in the south,
believed to be inhabited since 6000 BCE.
and traversed by two ranges Ladakh and
of

Since
and
then, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Greeks
Europeans have been among the people
Fo
Zanskar. Some of thepeaks andthe famous

in the area. The

Siachen glacier are located here. It is drained
majority of the population by the IndusRiver and its tributaries and the
ives in Algeria, Egypt, Mauritania, Libya and with the Indus
Zanskar River which merges
Western Sahara.
River. The region is linked with the Kashmir
Mostof the people livingin Sahara are nomads pass. Ladakh shares its
valley by the Zojila
Who move from one place to another. They boundary with other countries like China and
degree
eragoats, sheep and camel; and are engaged Pakistan. It lies between the 32 to 36
in cattle trading. The and has barren landscape
two important nog atitude
h

which makes the high altitude

it
olddesert
tribes
of Sahara eistricts of Leh
are Tuaregs Ladakh was divided into two
and Bedouin. Kargil 2750m alitude).
They are B505m altitude) and
nostly herders convenience.
in 1979 for administrative
tade animals.Theyand
ngroups. live
Tuareg man
Deserts 193
Life in the
 gomp a lohuddluyf
madte
than the vegetation of the area. The common
Term Ladakh: Ladakh is derived from La animals found here are Asiatic ibex, Tibetan
Treasure! meaning 'mountain passes' and Dkh antelope called
as chiru, Ladakh urial,
snow
meaning Country and together it
leopards and yaks. Yak is an important animal
means 'country of mountain passes. as
in Ladakh ittransportation.
provides milk and wool; and
Goat and sheep
Climate also used for
are reared for milk, meat and wool. Among
Ladakh experiences cold and harsh climate
the birds found are
most of the time during the year. The winter here golden eagle, black
temperatures can go below normal till-40° in necked crane, Himalayan snowcOck, etc.
some places especially Dras region. It is the
StrCgion in the world. The
most coldest
Summer temperatur remains moderate but
with harsh, sunlight falling at high altitude
although the temperature remains in between
0 to 25°
for the shrt stint of three months.
Arid type of climate is experienced here as Black necked crane Ladakh urial
the average rainfall is below 10 cm annually Explore More!
andthe snowfallis heavy. Rainfall is less due
the barrier of Himalayas which stops the rain Findout the difference between the naturalvegetation
bearing winds from of the Ladakh regionand that of Kashmir valley.
enteringthe region.
The absence of People and Economy
rainfall makes the Due to the harsh climatiç conditions Ladakh
region dependent is less populated. Dards were the original
on the glaçier people settled in the region who belonged
waters which are to the Indo-Aryan race. However due to
melted during the large scale immigration, the Leh region now
Snowfall in Ladakh
Summers. is inhabited by the Tibetan Buddhists and
Flora and Fauna
the Kargil is inhabited by the Shia Muslims.
The commonly spoken language is Ladakhi
Due to the harsh climate for nine months,
the but some Muslims speak Baltialso. The Leh
natural vegetation of the region is sparse. region is full of Buddhist monasteries and
One can only findsome plants and trees, Iike gompas. The Bakarwals are nomadic herders
willow and poplar which
are source of timber who move from one place to another with
their cattle and herds. The Changpa tribe of
and fuel, and patches of
Ladakh are sheep rearers. They are known for
grasses and shrubs. In
rearing Rashnuna goats that produce wool
the springs season that for pashmina shavwls. Other tribes living in
is just before the onset this region are Gujjafs, Gaddi,
of summers, fruits like etc.
aPples, apricots and People also engage in agriculture mainly in
summer. The main
walnuts grow here. farming areas are in the
Indus River valley where irrigation is
The wildlife of Ladakh possible.
The main products are wheat,
shows greater variety Poplar trees barley, mlle
etc. Besides agriculture, horticulture is also
194 Pragmatic Social Studies -7
 practiced and fruits like apples, strawberries,
apricots, etc., aregrown. Vegetables Buzz Ladakh is the largest and the
melons, highest altitude district of India
peas, potatoes, bearns, etc., are also which constitutes of various valleys
like
grown. and parallel mountain ranges.
Ladakh does nochave any large scale indutry. Leh and Kargil are important towns in Ladakh.
People are engaged in small scale activities The road transport system of Ladakh is not
weaving, carpet making, etc. The
like well developed owing to the hilly terrain of
beautiful landscape of Ladakh and various
the region. There are not many motorable
Buddhist gompas and festivals have gained
in roads. Places are connected via mountain
immense popularity the recent times. The passes. Zoji La pass connects Leh to the
government organized Sindhu Festival is
Kashmir valley; Khrdung La connects Leh
led to
famous among the tourists. All this has and Srinagar.
as the important
the emergence of tourism
SOurce oflivelihood for the people
of
Leh and
Ladakh.

KEY TERMS!

Hamada Large areas of smooth bare bed rocks

A water spot in the desert which makes land around it fertile
Oasis
Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh
Gompa

Now You Know

The Sahara desert in North Africa is the largest
desert in the world.
very hot and winters are mild. Day and night temperature
variation
The summers in Sahara are
is very high.
here. Grasses and
temperature and arid conditions not much vegetation is found
Due to high
a animals and birds are found here.
shrubs are found; also number of Kashmir in India.
high altitude region in the state of Jammuand
Ladakh theis passes.
It has plains, valleys, lakes and mountain
It is surrounded by mountains.
amajor part of the year.
The climate of Ladakh remains cold for
agriculture.
occupation in Ladakh are tourism, animal rearing and
The main

Say Aloud!
Answer the following questions orally:
ofAfrica is the Sahara Desert?
I. In wbich part
spread.
through which Sabara is
2. Name the countries
Desert.
two important tribes of the Sabara
3. Name the
4. What mountain ranges
surround Ladakh?

Life in the
Deserts 195
 Exercises
Summative Assessiment
A. Tick () the correct answer.
1. Which of the following does not surround the Sahara Desert?
Atlantic Ocean b. Indian Ocean
C. Mediterranean Sea d. Red Sea
2. Which of the following water body is not found in the Sahara Desert?
River Nile b. River Niger
C. Lake Chad Lake Baikal
3. Which of the following animals are found in Ladakh?
Yak b. Asiatic ibex
C. Chiru d. All of these
4. In which of the following areas is Changpa tribe found?
d. Leh
b. Ladakh
Kashmir valley
C.
d. None of these
5. Which two places are
connected by Zoji La pass?
Leh and Ladakh
b. Leh and Kashmir valley
C. Ladakh and Kashmir valley B
d. Ladakh and Srinagar
B. Fillin the blanks.
1. The River most important river in
is the
2.
the Sahara Desert.
The highest temperature ever was
recorded at in Libya.
3. The
and the are the main tribes
4. For administrative purposes of Sahara.
Ladakh is divided into
5. In Ladakh, the government and
organizes
festival to promote tourism.
C. Match Column A with Column B.
Column A'
Column B'
1. Stone Plateau
Tibestirange
2. Emi Koussi
Hamada
3. Niger
Cold area
4. Dras
Tribe
5. Changpa
D.
River
Distinguish between the following:
1. Flora and fauna of Sahara and Ladakh

196 Pragmatie Social Studies-7

 Define the following terms:
E.

1.
Bakarwals 2. Oasis 3. Dards
Write True' or
'False.
C
ThoMediterranean Sea lies to thenorth and Red Sea lies tothe
east of Sahara.
, The River Niger is
the most important river in Sahara.
willow andpoplar trees grow in Ladakh region.
3.
Ladakh is thickly populated region.
4.
5, Khardung La connects Leh and Srinagar.
G.
Short-Answer Questions.
4
Write about the flora and fauna of the Sahara Desert.
2. Write a note on the geography of Ladakh.
3. Whydoes Ladakh receive less rainfall?
Writeabout the natural vegetation of Ladakh.
4.
5. Why is the population of Sahara and Ladakh so low? How is the economic landscape of these
two regions changing?
H. Long-Answer Questions.
1. Write a note on the physical environment of Sahara. What are its landform features?
2. Describe the climate of Africa.
3. Give an account of human life and economy of Sahara.
4. What are the sources of livelihood of the people of Ladakh? Explain.
Formative Assessment
1. THINK

Why do youthink the countries of Africa are least developed?

J. DISCOVER

Visit aregion having extreme climate. How are the daily life activities, occupation, costume and
cuisine different from that of your place?
K. DISCUSS

Discuss the natural landscape of the Sahara Desert and Ladakh. How it
you live in?
is different from the region
L MAPWNORK

On an outline map of Africa and India mark the following: the Sahara Desert,
the area of Ladakh.
M. WEBSITES

lo know more about the topics discussed in this chapter, visit the following websites:
http://www.encyclopedia.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/

Life in the Deserts 197