Patagonian Desert

The Patagonian Desert, also known as the Patagonian Steppe, is the largest desert in South America, spanning approximately 673,000 square kilometers. It covers nearly the entirety of the Argentine region of Patagonia. This vast, cold winter desert is the seventh largest desert in the world by area.

The Patagonian Desert is classified as a cold winter desert because its temperatures frequently drop below freezing during the winter months. Its location far from the equator and near the cold ocean currents of the South Atlantic contribute to its chilly climate. Additionally, the high altitude of certain regions within the steppe further lowers the average temperature.

The extreme aridity of the Patagonian Desert is primarily caused by the Andes mountain range, which acts as a massive barrier to moisture. As winds carry air from the Pacific Ocean over the mountains, the air cools and drops its moisture on the Chilean side, creating a severe rain shadow on the Argentine side. This geographical phenomenon leaves the steppe dry and windswept.

The Patagonian Desert is home to a variety of hardy, cold-adapted wildlife, including the guanaco, a wild relative of the llama. Other notable animals include the Patagonian mara (a large rodent), the puma, and various species of armadillo, such as the pink fairy armadillo. Because of the sparse vegetation, most of these animals are highly migratory or nocturnal.