Egypt
The White Desert, a region of the Sahara Desert located within Egypt, is also one of its most beautiful regions and one of its most visited. So named the White Desert because of its white chalky outcroppings, the area is also the site of many springs and oases, as well as spectacular and odd geological formations. Much of the White Desert is now protected within White Desert National Park.
Humans have passed through the White Desert since the dawn of history, probably even before the first peoples migrated out of Africa over a hundred thousand years ago. Its oases have supported a nomadic culture, and Bedouins have inhabited the area at least as far back as early Islamic times. One settlement in the desert, can be traced back as far as Roman times.
The White Desert occupies a large depression in the heart of western Egypt. Most of the rocky chalk formations manifest in small outcrockings or wide flattish areas, but some are quite spectacular. Many look like huge mushrooms in the manner of fairy chimneys or delicately balanced rocks. There are many wells in the White Desert, some man made, and many with small oases around them.
The White Desert, while far from the Nile River and the main tourism industry, still manages to attract adventurous trekkers, usually with guides. Although not as treacherous as the deep Sahara Desert, it is still a very desolate area. Most visitors do so through the town of Farafra and the White Desert National Park. Web: N/A.
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