Why This Desert Is Known As The "Thirstland"
By: NDTVNewsDesk
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The desert known as the Thirstland (or the Great Thirst) is the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa.
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The name "Kalahari" is derived from the Tswana word Kgala, meaning "the great thirst," or Kgalagadi, meaning "a waterless place".
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The defining characteristic is the lack of permanent surface water across vast areas.
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Any rain that falls is quickly absorbed by the deep, porous red sands, leaving the surface dry.
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It is a large, semi-arid sandy savanna that extends over much of Botswana and into parts of Namibia and South Africa.
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While traditionally classified as a desert (receiving less than 10 inches of rain annually in its driest parts), some areas receive more rainfall, blurring the strict definition of a desert.
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However, the rapid drainage means that the land experiences an "edaphic drought", sustaining the "thirstland" nature.
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This environment supports a surprising amount of life, including the iconic black-maned lions, meerkats, and various antelope species.
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