Yes it is
The Sahara is nearly as big as the 48 states.
The Sahara Desert is nearly as big as the contiguous 48 states.
The Sahara Desert
The Sahara is nearly as big as the contiguous 48 states.
The Sahara because it is the biggest desert in the world and the second largest is in the USA, so it is the Sahara.
The Sahara Desert is nearly as big as the continental U.S.
The Sahara Desert!
The Sahara Desert is nearly as big as the United States.
The Sahara fits that description.
There is no 'state' in Africa that is nearly as big as the United States. The Sahara is nearly as big as the contiguous United States but the Sahara is a desert and not a state or country.
The Sahara Desert!
Currently, the Sahara is slightly smaller than the contiguous U.S.