5 most driest places in the world

Dry places are often imagined as endless hot deserts, but Earth’s driest regions are far more diverse. They include frozen valleys, coastal deserts, and ancient river cities shaped by centuries of extreme aridity.

What unites these locations is not temperature, but the near-total absence of precipitation. This article explores the five driest places in the world, explaining why they are so dry and how life continues to survive in such unforgiving environments.

What Defines an Extremely Dry Place?

A place is considered dry based on its annual precipitation, including rainfall and snowfall. The driest regions receive little to no measurable moisture due to a combination of factors such as mountain rain shadows, cold ocean currents, persistent high-pressure systems, extreme temperatures, and geographic isolation. These forces either block moisture or prevent clouds from forming altogether.

1. McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica: The Driest Place on the Planet

The McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica are the driest location on Earth. Covering about 4,800 square kilometres, they form the largest ice-free region on the continent, despite being surrounded by massive glaciers.

Their extreme aridity is caused by powerful katabatic winds that descend from nearby mountains. These winds can exceed 200 miles per hour and warm as they sink, evaporating any available moisture. Mountain barriers also prevent ice from flowing into the valleys.

Humidity levels are extraordinarily low, and some areas have not experienced precipitation for millions of years. The environment is so extreme and Mars-like that NASA uses the region to test space exploration equipment. Despite these harsh conditions, microbial life survives in soils and beneath ice-covered lakes.

2. Atacama Desert, Chile: The World’s Driest Non-Polar Desert

Stretching nearly 600 miles along Chile’s Pacific coast, the Atacama Desert is the driest non-polar desert on Earth. Some parts receive less than one millimetre of rain annually, and certain weather stations have recorded no rainfall for decades.

This extreme dryness results from several factors. The cold Humboldt Current cools coastal air, preventing cloud formation. The desert also lies between the Andes Mountains and the Chilean Coast Range, creating a double rain-shadow effect. A persistent high-pressure system further suppresses rainfall.

Despite its harsh climate, the Atacama features salt flats, geysers, lagoons, and striking rock formations. Its exceptionally clear skies make it one of the world’s premier locations for astronomy. Human settlements rely on groundwater, rivers fed by Andean snowmelt, and desalination, while mining remains a major economic activity.

3. Ica Desert, Peru: An Ancient Landscape Preserved by Aridity

The Ica Desert in southern Peru receives less than two millimetres of rain per year, yet supports a city of more than 250,000 people. The region experiences intense sunlight, minimal cloud cover, and very low humidity throughout the year.

Its extreme dryness has preserved archaeological treasures, including well-preserved pre-Columbian mummies, textiles, and pottery. The lack of moisture prevents decay that would normally destroy such artefacts.

Fossil discoveries, including penguin remains, show that the region once had a dramatically different climate millions of years ago. Today, water comes primarily from rivers fed by Andean glaciers and underground aquifers. Agriculture depends on irrigation and drought-resistant crops.

4. Wadi Halfa, Sudan: One of Africa’s Driest Inhabited Towns

Wadi Halfa, located in northern Sudan’s Nubian Desert, is among the driest inhabited places in Africa. It receives approximately 2.5 millimetres of rainfall annually and is home to more than 15,000 residents.

The town is surrounded by sand dunes and rocky plains, with summer temperatures frequently exceeding 40°C. Despite the harsh environment, permanent settlement is possible due to the Nile River, which provides essential water for drinking, farming, and fishing.

The dry climate has helped preserve ancient rock art and archaeological remains. Wadi Halfa also serves as a transport link between Sudan and Egypt and benefits economically from fishing and limited tourism.

5. Aswan, Egypt: A Historic City in an Extremely Arid Climate

Aswan is one of Egypt’s most famous cities and among the driest inhabited cities in the world, receiving just 12.19 millimetres of rainfall annually. Located along the Nile in southern Egypt, Aswan has supported civilisation for thousands of years.

Descending air from subtropical high-pressure systems prevents cloud formation, while the city’s inland position limits access to moisture. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 40°C.

The dry climate has preserved ancient monuments such as the Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the nearby Abu Simbel temples. Today, Aswan has a population of around 300,000. The Nile and the Aswan High Dam provide water, irrigation, and hydroelectric power, while tourism remains central to the local economy.

Comparison of the World’s Driest Places by Rainfall

These regions span Antarctica, South America, and Africa, showing that extreme aridity can occur in both polar and tropical zones. Temperature varies widely, from freezing conditions in Antarctica to intense desert heat in Africa and the Middle East.

Average annual precipitation ranks as follows: McMurdo Dry Valleys at virtually zero, the Atacama Desert at under one millimetre, the Ica Desert at under two millimetres, Wadi Halfa at approximately 2.5 millimetres, and Aswan at about 12 millimetres.

Key Environmental Factors Behind Extreme Dryness

Extreme aridity is commonly caused by rain shadows formed by mountain ranges, cold ocean currents that suppress rainfall, persistent high-pressure systems that dry descending air, and geographic isolation from major water bodies. These factors often work together to create long-term dry conditions.

How Plants, Animals, and Humans Survive in Extreme Aridity

Life in extremely dry environments relies on adaptation. Plants may store water, grow deep root systems, or remain dormant for years. Animals obtain moisture from food and minimise water loss. Human communities depend on rivers, aquifers, desalination, and careful water management.

Even in the driest places on Earth, extremophile microbes survive, offering valuable insights into climate resilience and the potential for life beyond Earth.