The Desert of Egypt

Abstract

Egypt is part of Sahara of North Africa in the hyperarid regions, with a hot and almost rainless climate. The Egyptian deserts are among the most arid parts of the world. Therefore, desert vegetation covers vast areas formed mainly of xerophytic shrubs and subshrubs. Egypt includes three deserts: (1) the Eastern, (2) the Western, and (3) Sinai. The Nile land, with its valley and delta, forms the fertile arable lands. Five major habitats can be distinguished: (1) the aquatic habitat, (2) the swampy habitat, (3) the canal bank habitat, (4) the cultivated lands, (5) the northern lakes, (6) the artificial lakes, and (7) the Nile islands. The Mediterranean coastal land of Egypt extends for about 970 km between Sallum on the Egyptian--Libyan border eastwards and Rafah on the Egyptian--Palestinian border. The Red Sea coastal lands include series of high mountains; the highest peak is of Gebel Elba in its southern part.