There
are seven major depressions in the Western Desert,
of which the most northerly and by far the largest
is the Qattara Depression, which covers an area of
19,500km² and encompasses sabkhas, lakes and
salt marshes of 5,800km². At its lowest point
this depression is 134m below sea level.
Siwa Oasis, which lies to the west of the Qattara
Depression, has a long and checkered history.
Other major depressions have potable water and have
been settled and cultivated for thousands of years
such as Farafra, Dakhls, Kharga and Baris. The Fayoum
Depression is closest to Cairo. This depression receives
its potable water from the Nile by means of three
canals.
Of the smaller depressions, Wadi El Natrun is 50km
long and a maximum of 8km wide.
