Western Desert

Egypt's Western Desert extends west of the Nile Valley in a vast expanse of limestone plateau, sand and gravel. Depressions interrupt the dry uplands, some sheltering oases where groundwater reaches the surface. Bahariya, west of the cultivated valley, is one such oasis. Between these scattered settlements lie long stretches of barren ground, marked by escarpments and the routes that have connected the oases with the Nile.