The largest desert in Antarctica is the Antarctic Desert. Despite being covered in ice, it qualifies as a desert due to its extremely low humidity and precipitation levels. The Antarctic Desert is considered the largest desert in the world, spanning an area of about 5.5 million square miles (14 million square kilometers). Its harsh and frigid climate makes it one of the most inhospitable regions on Earth, featuring vast ice sheets and remote landscapes that are largely uninhabitable for most forms of life.