Arabian desert

Arabian Desert

The Arabian Desert is a vast desert wilderness in Western Asia. It stretches from Yemen to the Persian Gulf and Oman to Jordan and Iraq. It occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula, with an area of 2,330,000 square kilometers (900,000 sq mi).

Geography

The Arabian Desert is bordered by the Nile River and the Red Sea to the west, and the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman to the south. The desert's landscape consists of several unique geographical features, including the Empty Quarter, the world's largest continuous sand desert.

Climate

The climate of the Arabian Desert is characterized by extreme heat during the day and sudden drops in temperature at night. The region receives very little rainfall, and the precipitation that does occur usually happens in the winter months.

Flora and Fauna

Despite the harsh conditions, a variety of plants and animals have adapted to survive in the Arabian Desert. These include the Arabian oryx and the Arabian camel, as well as various species of plants such as the date palm.

Human Settlement

The Arabian Desert has been inhabited by humans for thousands of years. The Bedouin people have traditionally lived a nomadic lifestyle in the desert, moving from place to place in search of water and grazing land for their animals.

See Also

• Deserts of the World
• Geography of the Middle East
• Climate of the Arabian Peninsula