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Showing posts with label Saudi Arabia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Saudi Arabia. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Rub al-Khali

            Rub al-Khali ( الربع الخالي) is the largest sand desert in the world, encompassing most of the southern third of the Arabian Peninsula, including most of Saudi Arabia and areas of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. The desert covers some 650,000 square kilometres (250,000 sq mi). 
             The region is classified as "hyper-arid", with typical annual rainfall of less than 30 millimetres (1.2 in). Daily maximum temperatures average at 47 °C (117 °F) and can reach as high as 56 °C (133 °F).  Along the middle length of the desert there are a number of raised, hardened areas of calcium carbonate, gypsum, marl, or clay that were once the site of shallow lakes.
              Fauna includes arachnids (e.g. scorpions) and rodents, while plants live throughout the Empty Quarter. As an ecoregion, the Rub' al Khali falls within the Arabian Desert and East Saharo-Arabian xeric shrublands.

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Rub al-Khali Rub al-Khali Rub al-Khali Rub al-Khali

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Riyadh

                Riyadh (الرياض) is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province, and belongs to the historical regions of Najd (نجد) and Al-Yamama ( اليمامة). It is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau, and is home to 5,254,560 people, and the urban center of a region with a population of close to 7 million people. 
                The main landmarks of Riyadh are: Kingdom Tower ( برج المملكة), Al Faisaliyah Center (برج الفيصلية), Riyadh TV Tower (برج التلفزيون بالرياض), King Abdullah International Gardens, Ministry of Interior Building, Masmak fort (قصر المصمك), Riyadh Station, Al Anoud Tower.

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al anoud tower Al Faisaliyah Center Al Masmak Castle King Abdullah International Gardens

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Nefud desert

              The Nefud (arabic  صحراء النفود ṣahrā' al-nefud) desert is a desert in the northern part of the Arabian Peninsula occupying a great oval depression. It is 180 miles (290 km) long and 140 miles (225 km) wide, with an area of 40,000 square miles (103,600 km²). Before the Battle of Aqaba (during the Arab Revolt) forces led by Auda ibu Tayi attacked the Turkish-held coastal town of Aqaba on its poorly-defended eastern flank, achieved by taking a long and wide desert route, passing close to the edge of the Nafud.
              The Nafud is an erg, noted for its sudden violent winds, which account for the large crescent-shaped dunes. Rain comes once or twice a year. In some lowland areas, namely those near the Hejaz Mountains ( جبال الحجاز ), there are oases where dates, vegetables, barley, and fruits are raised.

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Nefud desert Nefud desert Nefud desert Nefud desert