Arabian deserts - the common name of the desert complex, which is located on the peninsula of the same name. This natural zone is located on the territories of all countries that are on the peninsula, and also captures the corners of some continental powers. The locals give different names to the local deserts, and in the understanding of Western people, all this is a single zone covered with almost impenetrable sands, which are roasted every day under the scorching sun.
Geographic location
To begin with, let's consider in which part of the world and in which climatic zone the Arabian Peninsula is located. The map shows that these lands are located in the tropical zone, and in the north they begin at about a 30 degree parallel. The area of the peninsula is 3.25 million square kilometers, and at the same time its outlines are very straightforward. For this reason, there are very few convenient bays here, which makes it impossible for many countries (with the exception of the UAE) to organize a tourism business here. From a geological point of view, the Arabian Desert on the map occupies its own separate plate of the same name. However, this tectonic rock was previously part of Africa, which is clearly seen in the similar climatic and geological features of these two areas.
Marine issue
Now let's consider what seas the Arabian Peninsula is washed by. The map of this area is not replete with names, since there are very few bays here. Basically, all adjacent seas to this part of the world are formed by nearby continents - Eurasia and Africa, as well as islands that are nearby. So, the east of the peninsula is washed by the Persian and Oman gulfs. The south bathes in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. The western shores of Arabia are washed by the Red Sea, where the water border with Egypt passes. In the north, this desert zone passes into the main part of the mainland.
Climatic conditions
In their weather conditions, the Arabian deserts differ little from each other. The average amount of precipitation that falls on the peninsula per year is 100 mm. At the same time, it should be noted that in areas located closer to the mountains, this number grows to 500-600 mm, and increases to 200 mm where the sands approach the sea bays. In summer, the average daily temperature here is about 45-50 degrees, at night it drops to 15 Celsius. In winter, in some regions, even during the day, the thermometer does not rise above 15, and frosts occur at night. Those deserts that lie in the more southern tropics, even in January, warm up to 35 degrees.
Political situation
All the countries of the Arabian Peninsula are completely or partially located in the desert zone. Among such political entities are the following: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. All of them have access to the sea, and some of them (Bahrain and Kuwait) are located on the islands. As for the division of the peninsula into deserts, which is accepted by the locals, it consists of seven units. The largest desert here is called Rub al-Khali, and it occupies the entire south of Saudi Arabia, the northern parts of Oman and Yemen, as well as the west of the UAE. It is followed by the Dehna Desert, which is located in the very center of Saudi Arabia. This natural area is replete with oases, as it stretches along the bed of a dried-up river, where, according to scientists, underground sources are still preserved. The Arabian deserts of Tihama and Great Nefud are located in the South and North of the peninsula, respectively. In the first one, you can meet low mountains, and it also goes to the shores of the Red Sea, which makes it not very dry. Big Nefud is a zone of red sands. The most windy point of the peninsula, where very sharp daily temperature fluctuations are also traced. All other deserts of the Arabian Peninsula are very small in size and do not have an individual landscape.
The largest plain in the region
Rub al-Khali, as we have already found out, is the most extensive desert-type natural area in the Arabian lands. This desert is located on a plateau that rises abovesea level by 500 meters with a gradual descent to the south. Almost all the other Arabian deserts are adjacent to this main one, because their flora, fauna and topography are very similar. The entire territory, which occupies more than 500,000 sq. km, covered with numerous varieties of sands. In the south, they turn into s alt marshes, which indicates the proximity of the sea. The area is absolutely lifeless, there are no insects or reptiles. Rub al-Khali is a bright representative of eolian relief types. There are both single dunes and dunes, which form long ridges stretching for hundreds of meters or even kilometers. It is also noteworthy that quick white sands can be found on these lands.
Fauna of this world
In principle, the Arabian Desert on the map is located in a very favorable region for living. However, any species of mammals (except three) are absent here because nature did not reward the region with precipitation, the necessary amount of moisture and did not protect it from strong winds. Among those "brave men" who live in the desert, we will name the wolf, the sand fox and the ferrets. In the northern regions of the peninsula, where there are many herbaceous plants, ungulates and rodents can be found. Numerous reptiles live in the sand zone - lizards and snakes - all poisonous. At night, tarantulas and tarantulas are activated, as well as other insects that live in the sand. Numerous birds soar above the dunes. These are larks, sparrows, sandgrouse, eagles and nightjars, as well as several other species of birds.
