The Kalahari

A “desert” is defined by Random House Webster’s Dictionary as “an arid, sandy region capable of providing life for only a few specialized life forms.” There are several different areas that fit this description; however, each of these vicinities present unique obstacles and fascinating knowledge and information within their sand. A particularly interesting desert covering approximately 450,000 square kilometers in Africa is called the Kalahari. It stretches over most of Botswana and throughout some parts of Namibia and South Africa. The simple fact that this region is considered a desert is not what the Kalahari is admired for. Besides being distinctive in its geographical features, the Kalahari houses a variety of animal species and actually provides a dwelling for a primitive human population (Allan/Warren 110).

The Kalahari, which extends from the Orange River to the Congo, is the largest continuous stretch of sand in the world (“Kalahari: Game Reserves in South,” par. 1). Though it does receive a rainfall ranging from 6 to 20 inches a year, surface water in the area is extremely rare. Fortunately, the Kalahari Desert has pans, which allow seasonal rainfall to accumulate (Al

. . .
” Random House Webster’s College Dictionary. Because the traditional ways of the San are being threatened by modernized society and the greed over the wealth of the land, Africa’s government established the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

The most interesting fact concerning the Kalahari Desert is its ancient human population. However, Botswana contains the greatest number in the world. The beauty of this desert, along with the beauty of life it obtains, must be conserved. Princeton: Charles

Scribner’s Sons, 2002

“Desert. “The largest of these Pans are the Etosha Pan and the Makgadikgod Pan” (Allan/Warren 110). In addition, there are now three large diamond mines in Botswana as well as newly discovered coal, cobalt, copper, and nickel. Pans are not only important due to their water accumulations; they are also considered necessary for a resource for food (“Kalahari: Game Reserves in South,” par. It is only at night that they emerge to gather food. These large animals that have virtually no way of escaping the sun’s torture usually grow a thick coating of hair on their upper surface.

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Approximate Word count = 1158
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

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