Human beings are able to adapt to many unfriendly environments. It is no surprise then, that they have learned to live in the desert and make it their home. Desert dwellers make up less than 1 percent of the world's population, but they include a large variety of native peoples of all races.

Impact of the Desert on Human Life

Humans are able to maintain a safe body temperature in the desert by sweating. Under extreme heat, a human being may lose as much as 5 pints (3 liters) of moisture in an hour and up to 21 pints (12 liters) in a day. This water must be replaced, however, or the person will die from dehydration. (Dehydration occurs when tissues dry out, depleting the body of fluids which help keep it cool.) Unlike the kidneys of many desert animals, human kidneys cannot concentrate urine to conserve water. The loss of...