Outstanding
landscapes and geological formations exist in many parts
of the Western Desert; most notably in the White Desert
Protected Area. Fascinating limestone with erosion features
formed by wind and sand, have created a magnificent
landscape of outstanding natural beauty, and made the
White Desert a world famous spectacle.
Gebel Uweinat is a sandstone and granite massif lying
on the southwest corner of Egypt. At 1907m, it represents
the highest point of the Western Desert and covers an
area of 1500km². Rainfall is extremely sparse and
unpredictable here, occurring only about once every
ten years, however, when rain does fall it fills rock
basins that are found in the narrow winding gorges that
seam the massif. The only vegetation that occurs in
the Egyptian section of this mountain is found in Karkur
Talh.
The sandstone plateau of Gilf Kebir lies to the north
of Gebel Uweinat and is much larger in area. Its rocky
surface, which slopes southeastward from 1000m to 600m,
is partially covered by sand sheets. |
Limestone
formation , White Desert |
Limestone
formation , White Desert |
Limestone
formation , White Desert |
Limestone
formation at the White Desert Protected Area |
Limestone
formation at the White Desert Protected Area |
Limestone
formation at the White Desert Protected Area |
Limestone
formation at the White Desert Protected Area |
Overlooking
the edge of the Plateau of Gilf Kebir |
At the
edge of the Plateau of Gilf Kebir |
The limestone
formation known as Suger Loaf Hill |
Rock outcrops
often protrude through vast and flat terrain |
|
