Crossword Genius

Mountainous area of Libyan Desert (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

andes

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'mountainous area' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how they can define each other.

'of libyan desert' is the wordplay.
'of' indicates a hidden word.
'ANDES' is hidden in the letters of 'libyan desert'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for andes that I've seen before include "Great S American mountains" , "South American mountain system" , "Danes in S American mountains" , "World's longest mountain range" , "Great mountains of western S America" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times.
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