No, a desert does not have to have sand.
While many people associate deserts with vast expanses of sand dunes, this is not always the case. According to information available, dunes cover only about 10 percent of the world's deserts. Therefore, deserts can come in different forms other than sand.
Here's a breakdown of what defines a desert:
- Aridity: The primary characteristic of a desert is its dryness. Deserts receive very little precipitation.
- Variety of Surfaces: Deserts can be mountainous, rocky, sandy, or even salt flats.
As stated in the reference, there are several types of deserts:
- Subtropical
- Coastal
- Rain shadow
- Interior
- Polar
The presence of sand is not the defining characteristic of a desert; instead, its aridity and low precipitation is what determines its classification.
