Sahara desert

Question 1

Challenges in the Sahara desert

Answer 1

Water:
- Very low ranfall and unpredictable rain
- There is a growing demand for water for works, irrigation and industry
Inaccesability:
- Very large area so people and materials are transported through air
- Expensive pipelines have to be built to transport oil
Temperature:
- High temperatures presents a threat to human life
- Tourism is seasonal
- Hard to work in conditions

Question 2

Mineral resources in Sahara desert

Answer 2

• There are multiple uranium, iron and phosphate deposits in the Sahara
• Oil and gas from the Sahara contributes to 60% of Algeria’s economy

Question 3

Solar energy in the Sahara desert

Answer 3

• The Sahara provides the ideal conditions for solar energy
• Cloudless skies and 12 hours of sunlight a day
• 1.5 million square metres of the Sahara is covered in solar panels

Question 4

Tourism and farming in the Sahara desert

Answer 4

Tourism:
- Many people are fascinated by holidaying in extreme conditions
- Tourism in the Sahara remains small-scale
Farming:
- Commercial farming is limited to areas with enough water
- Irrigation channels have been built for water to travel along