The most informative, accurate answer will get best answer. Also the one with the most differences listed. Thx!
2006-09-11 07:51:57 · 8 answers · asked by bRiLa 4 in Social Science ➔ Other - Social Science
Wilderness isn't necessarily desert, nor is desert always wilderness. ANY wild area, from dry, arid, sandy desert to dry arid, frozen icy desert of Antarctica and the Arctic, to the depths of Amazonia to high mountain ands in Asia, Europe, or the Americas can be wilderness. Yet, many desert areas are not wilderness, as evidenced by Las Vegas, Phoenix, Albuquerque, and many other highly populated desert areas. Amazonia also has significant, though concentrated, population areas, as do many mountainous regions.
Essentially a desert is an arid region, often sandy or rocky, with limited vegetation and animal life. A wilderness area is an area virtually uninhabited on a normal basis, an area of "wildness" less sullied by human activity.
2006-09-11 08:02:46 · answer #1 · answered by xraytech 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A desert can be, but need not be, a wilderness. A desert need not be sandy or hot, merely dry. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a desert; so too is Los Angeles, California.
Not all wildernesses are deserts.
One has nothing to do with the other. One concerns climatological conditions, the other concerns state of development/settlement or lack thereof.
2006-09-11 07:59:04 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
like most people here, I am not particularly interested in getting "best answer"
the difference is clear from the definitions:
1 a : arid land with usually sparse vegetation; especially : such land having a very warm climate and receiving less than 25 centimeters (10 inches) of sporadic rainfall annually
1 a (1) : a tract or region uncultivated and uninhabited by human beings
http://www.merriam-webster.com/
A desert is a hot place without much water and consequently, not much natural life. But, like in Phoenix Arizona, lots of people can live there is they bring in water
A wilderness is a place without people or the things of people.
It can be wet or dry. It can be cold or hot. It is just empty of people.
2006-09-11 08:04:00 · answer #3 · answered by enginerd 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
des‧ert1 /ˈdɛzərt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[dez-ert] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. a region so arid because of little rainfall that it supports only sparse and widely spaced vegetation or no vegetation at all: The Sahara is a vast sandy desert.
2. any area in which few forms of life can exist because of lack of water, permanent frost, or absence of soil.
3. an area of the ocean in which it is believed no marine life exists.
4. (formerly) any unsettled area between the Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains thought to be unsuitable for human habitation.
5. any place lacking in something: The town was a cultural desert.
–adjective 6. of, pertaining to, or like a desert; desolate; barren.
7. occurring, living, or flourishing in the desert: a desert tribe; a desert palm.
8. designed or suitable for wear in the desert, as cool, protective clothing: a big, wide-brimmed desert hat.
wil‧der‧ness /ˈwɪldərnɪs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[wil-der-nis] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. a wild and uncultivated region, as of forest or desert, uninhabited or inhabited only by wild animals; a tract of wasteland.
2. a tract of land officially designated as such and protected by the U.S. government.
3. any desolate tract, as of open sea.
4. a part of a garden set apart for plants growing with unchecked luxuriance.
5. a bewildering mass or collection.
so: desert=lots of sand and cactus
wilderness=lots of trees, dirt
2006-09-11 07:57:13 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A desert is any place with very little rainfall. It can be uninhabited, and thus a wilderness, or it could contain bustling cities. It can even be a cold climate.
A wilderness is any large uninhabited place. It could be a desert, or a rain forest, or mountains, or any other geography.
2006-09-11 07:59:15 · answer #5 · answered by rainfingers 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A wilderness is simply a wild undeveloped natural area...
Forests, Deserts, Mountains, swamps, Tundra etc. etc
can all be wilderness areas...
2006-09-11 07:57:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Deserts are generally, dry, barren and hot.
Wilderness can have almost any topography.
2006-09-11 07:56:28 · answer #7 · answered by eferrell01 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Desert is full of sand only.
Wilderness can be any where.
2006-09-11 07:57:57 · answer #8 · answered by SKG R 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋