The Western Desert and Oasis

The Western Desert and Oasis. The Western Desert covers approx.. two thirds of Egypt. The Desert itself extends West tp Libya and South to Sudan, and begins at the West Bank of the Nile, creating part of the broad expanse of the Sahara Desert which strtetches across North Africa to the Atlantic Ocean. The Desert which is nearly always completely dry surprisingly is not lacking in Water. Periodically Rains will fill vast underground Aqufers which lie beneath the the Desert, and occasionally break through to the surface. In the same way as along the Nile water is the key of Life and where the water breaks through the surface thriving Oases have formed around the Springs. These remote Gardens in the Desert have long assisted substantial communities of People and agricultural developments as well as a culture unique from that of the Nile Valley. A road which begins in Cairo and ends in Luxor shapes a loop through the four Oases East of the Nile Valley. Further to the West and even more remote is Siwa Oasis and El Fayoum is established around a Lake closer to the Nile Valley. All of these areas have long and rich histories which dates back to Ancient Times . In their respective segregation they have developed independently from most of Egypt, which reflects the impact of the Desert dwelling Bedouin Culture. The people in Siwa even speak a different lanhuahe known as Tisiwee which originates from the Nomadic Berber people who live further West in the Desert of Libya and Algeria. As early as the Old Kingdom Farafa, Dakhla, Bahariyya and Kharga Oasis linked by the highway which loops through Desert between Luxor and Cairo were important trade and agricultural hubs. The plentiful amount of water here fueled agricultural projects of surprising size. The archeologists held a belief that Bahariyya supported several hundred thousand people during the Greco-Roman period when the Oases thrived which was due to the protection which the Roman Military [rovided over the Trade coming from the South. Still supporting a unique culture and some of the most active archeological sites in Egypt which are highlited by the discovery of a vast Middle Kingdom burial Ground which is lnown as the Valley of the Golden Mummies near Bahariyya in 1997 the Oases are much smaller in the present day.Given it’s closeness to Cairo it has become the most popular with Visitors who use it as a starting point for Desert Camping expeditions to the unusal White Desert and the Great Sands Sea. The other Oases which are less frequently visited than other Oases still offers plenty of adventure for the Traveler who is wanting to get as far away from the beaten path as possible, plus offering several interesting archeological remains from the Greco-Roman or Pharaonic periods. The location of El Fayoum is closer to Cairo and is more closely connected with the Nile Valley, but which also has a distinctive history. An Ancient City which was once here was the centre of political power during the Middle Kingdom of Ancient Egypt, forming Fayoum’s fresh water ;ale Qarun still hostes a vast number of Migratory Birds. Even more distinctive is the history of Siwa, more remote from the rest of Egypt it became the last place on Earth where the Gods of Ancient Egypt were worshipped. Islam did not even advance here until approx.. the 13th century nearly seven hundred years after the Arab firstr arrived in Egypt. Also being the site of the Temple of the Oracle Lings from all over the Meditteraenean which included Alexander the Great, who traveled through the Desert to consult, beginning in the 6th Century BC. Ever since a road was built connecting it to the Coast in the 1980’s the outside influence in Siwa has increased but still remains a singularly unique place, famous for it’s vast Groves of of Olives and date palms plus it’s warm springs. For visitors and tourists alike who are searching for the paramount relaxation and remote getaway it has become a growing attraction, especially as several luxurious Hotels and Eco Lodges have been constructed. It is a long journey to Siwa but you will find it is well worth the endeavor to enjoy the unique charm of the Oases which includes the remains of an Ancient Town, Fresh water springs, Palm Groves, Salt ;ales and the magic of the Desert which surrounds.