The term Sub-Saharan Region refers to the area of Africa south of the Sahara Desert. The Sahel is a region of Africa that lies between the Sahara Desert and the Sudanian Savanna. It stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Red Sea in the east, and includes parts of Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Djibouti. The Sahel is characterized by its semi-arid climate and is home to a variety of cultures and ethnic groups.