The world’s largest continuous desert is located in Saudi Arabia. The Rub’ al Khali Desert, also known as the “Empty Quarter”, is the world’s largest continuous desert, mostly located in Saudi Arabia and stretching into neighbouring Yemen, Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Saudi Arabia desert
If you are travelling to the region on a visit visa or plan to explore Saudi Arabia after your all-inclusive holy day, Umrah Package A must-visit place in the UK, this natural wonder has a lot to offer as most areas remain unexplored to this day.
Here’s what you need to know about Saudi Arabia’s largest continuous desert.
Size and area
Rub’ al Khali Its estimated area is about 650,000 square kilometers (251,000 square miles).
- More than twice the total area of the United Kingdom.
- It is five times the size of the US state of Arizona.
- The size of France
Most of this desert, about 80%, lies within the borders of Saudi Arabia, although parts of it extend into adjacent areas of Oman, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates.
The infamous sand dunes
The sand dunes of the Empty Quarter are known for their ever-changing landscape. These dunes can reach heights of up to 250 layers (820 feet).
In the western part of the desert, Sadia Arabia, the sand is fine and soft at an elevation of about 610 meters (2,000 feet) above sea level, but in the eastern part of the desert, the elevation is only about 180 meters (600 feet) above sea level.
temperature
Rub’ al Khali has a very pleasant, dry climate. Summer temperatures reach up to 55 degrees Celsius (131 degrees Fahrenheit) and winter nights drop to near freezing. Rainfall in the region is very low, estimated at only 30 millimeters (1.2 inches) per year.
However, due to its condition and the fact that it is almost unexplored, this empty area is believed to be very rich in oil reserves. In fact, in 1948, the famous oil field “Al Ghawar” was discovered in the northeast of the desert.
Meanwhile, the southeastern part of the desert, close to the United Arab Emirates and Oman, is home to the Al Shaibah refinery, which has large natural gas reserves.
If you’re planning on visiting the desert next year, Umrah Package 2025 If you research in advance, the best time to go is between October and March as the weather in this area is relatively mild.
Bedouin
Despite the empty land being an uninhabitable environment, the Bedouin people have been living here for centuries. Their nomadic lifestyle and changing lifestyle have allowed them to adapt to the harsh weather conditions of this desert for a living.
Shiobara
Also called Sabka Salt Flats Another major phenomenon in the void zone: the lack of rainfall in this zone means that the water evaporates and leaves behind a layer of salt that can become trapped, making it dangerous to travel through.
oasis
Among the many oases in the Sky Quarter, the “Liwa Oasis” deserves special mention as it continues to be an important source of life for animals, humans and plants that inhabit this desert.This oasis is located in the UAE region of the Rub Al Khali desert.
Flora and fauna
Ghaf trees and desert shrubs are most common here, while the Arabian oryx, sand gazelles, desert reptiles and insects are widely seen in the Rub’ al Khali desert.
Activities
Activities you can do while in Rub’al Khali include 4×4 off-roading, quad biking, sandboarding, camel trekking and nighttime stargazing. You can also interact with the Bedouin people, stay in Bedouin-style camps and take part in their cultural and musical performances.
There are many archaeological sites in the Empty Quarter; however, you may need special permission from the authorities to enter there. Similarly, if your Rub’ al Khali desert exploration involves crossing borders, i.e. entering Yemen, Oman or the United Arab Emirates, you will need a valid visa and permit to avoid any inconvenience.
lastly
The “Empty Quarter”, also known as the Rub’ al Khali Desert, is one of the hottest, driest and most hostile environments ever experienced by humankind.
The vast expanse of desert that covers almost a third of Southern California is known as one desert, and is also divided by many names according to its various locations, representing a vast desert with a complex mosaic pattern that is barely discernible at a human scale through satellite imagery.
From the towering sand dunes that lure lovers to the oasis mysteriously hidden behind their beaks, the Empty Quarter is a monument to the unstoppable power of nature and its wondrous secrets.
FAQ
Does Saudi Arabia have the world’s largest desert?
Saudi Arabia is home to the world’s largest desert. The Arabian Desert is the second largest desert in the world after the Sahara Desert in Africa, and more than half of the country is covered in desert.
What are the two deserts in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia has two major deserts: the Nafud Desert in the north and the Rub’ al-Khali (Empty Quarter) in the south.
Is Saudi Arabia 95% desert?
Well…about 95% of Saudi Arabia is desert (mostly empty land).
