We are all aware – or at least we expect – that desert sand is yellow in colour. However, the sand at the White Sands National Monument in New Mexico is actually white.

This desert spreads over eight square kilometres, and at first glance it looks like it’s covered in snow.

The unique sand in this desert gets its colour from calcium sulphate and gypsum, unlike sand in any other desert.

The sand feels cold when you touch it thanks to the high levels of evaporation from its surface.

Furthermore, sun rays are reflected off by the sand instead of being absorbed. Another one-of-a-kind feature in this desert is that, according to the 2010 census, as many as 1,651 people call it their home.