Topic Summaries

Case study – development in deserts

IGCSE > Geography > CIE > IGCSE Geography Topic Summaries > Hot desert ecosystems > Case study – development in deserts
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Weather hazards and atmospheric circulation

Tropical storm hazards

Responding to tropical storms

Hot desert ecosystems

Cold environment ecosystems

Glacial landscapes

Glacial landform processes

Water supply

Energy supply

Sahara Desert
Development opportunities
  • Mineral extraction: the Sahara is rich in resources like phosphate (used in fertilizers), iron ore, and uranium. Countries like Morocco are major exporters of phosphates.
  • Solar energy: the Sahara has vast potential for solar power due to its high levels of sunlight. Projects like the Noor Solar Project in Morocco aim to harness this energy.
  • Irrigation: in areas like the Nile Valley, irrigation allows for farming in deserts. Wheat and barley are cultivated in these areas.
  • Oases: natural water sources in the desert (e.g. Siwa Oasis in Egypt) support small-scale farming.
  • Tourism: the Sahara attracts tourists for activities like camel trekking, sandboarding, and exploring unique landscapes (e.g. sand dunes, rock formations). Cultural tourism includes visiting Berber communities and ancient sites.
Challenges for development
  • Extreme temperatures: daytime temperatures can exceed 50°C, making outdoor work difficult and increasing the cost of infrastructure maintenance (e.g. roads melting).
  • Water supply: water is scarce, and overuse of underground aquifers (e.g. the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer) risks depleting this resource. Desalination plants are expensive and not widely available.
  • Inaccessibility: the Sahara spans 9.2 million km², making transport and communication difficult. Remote areas lack infrastructure, increasing the cost of development.

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