In Call of Duty, "Sand" typically refers to a desert or arid environment featured in various game levels, especially in maps set in the Middle East, Africa, or other desert regions. These maps often have vast, open spaces with dunes, rocky outcroppings, and sometimes urban desert environments like small towns or military bases. The sandy terrain can affect visibility due to dust and wind, creating a gritty and challenging battlefield where cover might be scarce, and long-range combat is often emphasized. It can also serve as a thematic backdrop, contributing to the intensity and realism of combat scenarios in these environments.