Deserts

This volume introduces students to a waterless world encompassing some of the most barren and least populated places on Earth. Students will discover how deserts, covering about one-fifth of Earth's surface, compel adaptation by nature and culture alike. Where adequate fresh water is available, humans have prospered for thousands of years. And ancient desert cultures in Egypt, Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and coastal Peru were among the earliest cradles of civilization. This colorful book also highlights the contrast between empty, arid lands and densely populated desert areas, such as the U.S. Southwest, one of the most prosperous and fastest-growing regions in the country.