Based on available data, including the provided reference, no country is 100% desert.
While there are countries with vast desert territories covering the vast majority of their land, none are entirely devoid of non-desert areas.
Understanding Desert Coverage by Country
Determining the exact percentage of desert within a country can sometimes vary slightly depending on the definition used for "desert" and the mapping methodology. However, it is widely accepted that no sovereign nation consists solely of desert land.
The Country with the Highest Percentage of Desert
According to the reference provided, the country with the highest percentage of desert land is located in West Africa:
- Mauritania
The reference states that approximately 99% of Mauritania's territory is covered by desert.
| Country | Approximate Percentage Desert | Primary Desert Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Mauritania | 99% | Sahara Desert |
This immense desert area within Mauritania spans around 1 million square kilometers. This is a significant portion of the Sahara Desert, which is the largest hot desert in the world and covers over 9 million square kilometers across multiple North African nations.
While 99% is an extremely high figure, it still means that approximately 1% of Mauritania consists of non-desert land, preventing it from being classified as 100% desert. These non-desert areas might include coastal regions, river valleys (like parts near the Senegal River border), or oases that support some vegetation and human habitation.
In summary, while the question asks for a country that is entirely desert, current information indicates that this does not exist. Mauritania holds the distinction, based on the provided reference, of having the highest percentage of desert land at approximately 99%.
