Definition

Proper noun: * A large, arid to semi-arid sandy savanna region in southern Africa: The Kalahari Desert is a vast, semi-desert basin covering much of Botswana and parts of Namibia and South Africa. It is characterized not by classic sand dunes, but by extensive sand sheets and savanna grasslands.

Usage and Examples

• As a geographical location:
  • The Kalahari Desert is home to the San people, one of the world's oldest cultures.
  • Despite its name, the Kalahari Desert receives more rainfall than a true desert, supporting a variety of wildlife.
• In a descriptive or comparative context:
  • The documentary explored the unique ecosystems of the Kalahari Desert.
  • Its climate is harsh, but the Kalahari is not as barren as the Sahara.

Advanced Usage

• "The Kalahari": The definite article "the" is almost always used when referring to this region.
  • They embarked on a research expedition across the Kalahari.

Variants and Related Words

• Kalahari (noun): A common shortened form used to refer to the desert or the broader basin.
  • The Kalahari basin is an ancient, sand-filled depression.

Synonyms

• Desert region
• Arid savanna
• Semi-desert

Related Phrases and Contexts

• Kalahari Basin: The larger geological depression that contains the desert.
• Kalahari sands: Refers to the distinctive red sands that cover the region.

Noun

1. a desert in southwestern Africa - largely Botswana