Deserts of the Arabian Peninsula
The Arabian Peninsula is composed of the Middle Eastern nations of Oman, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Southeastern Iraq and the largest of all, Saudi Arabia. The Arabian Peninsula has vast expanses of deserts; however, it is not just one extended desert. It is instead an amalgam of various desserts spread out over various areas of the peninsula to form a desert region called the Arabian Desert.
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Rub al Khali
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The Rub al Khali is the largest of the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula and one of the largest continuous sand deserts in the world. The Rub al Khali extends through parts of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The desert covers an area larger than the entire nation of France. According to NASA. The first journey by Westerners through the Rub al Khali did not occur until 1932.
An Nafud
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The An Nafud Desert is the northernmost desert on the Arabian Peninsula. Covering more than 25,000 square miles, An Nafud is characterized by red, clay-like sand. It rests at an elevation of 3,000 feet above sea level. Historically the desert has been a travel barrier, and its frequent sand storms have shaped massive dunes. The oases of Al-Jawf and Ha’il are inside the An Nafud Desert. The An Nafud region is not as torrid as the Rub al Khali, which registers some of the highest temperatures in the world.
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Ad-Dahna
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The Ad-Dahna Desert bridges the gap between the An Nafud and Rub al Khali deserts. Stretching more than 800 miles long, the desert has an area of 24,000 square miles. Like the An Nafud Desert, the sand is deep red in color. The desert exhibits some of the tallest sand dunes in the Arabian Peninsula. Sand dunes can reach well over 400 feet.
Arabian Desert
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The Arabian Desert is an encompassing term that describes nearly 2/3 of the Arabian Peninsula. The Arabian Desert includes the Rub al Khali, An Nafud and Ad-Dahn. However, the Arabian Desert extends to Jordan, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The Arabian Desert is considered one of the most inhospitable terrains on the planet with temperatures reaching more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
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- Photo Credit dune image by Salem Alforaih from Fotolia.com
