Are you among those who think long deserts of many miles, camels, and sands are the only things the Middle East has whenever it is mentioned? Well, your thoughts are true nevertheless, the truth remains that the Middle East boasts some of the remarkable natural wonders which are little known. Check out ten secret natural wonders you can find in the Middle East.
1 Al-Hasa Oasis, Saudi Arabia
The Al-Hasa Natural Oasis is the largest in Saudi Arabia and Asia in general. The oasis can be found about 60 km away from the gulf of Persia or 40 miles away from the Arabian Gulf coast.
More than 60 artesian springs feed Al-Hasa Oasis, which covers about 30,000 acres. The oasis is a source of water to the millions of inhabitants who live in areas close to it as well as a source of irrigation to more than 3,000,000 date palms.
2 Socotra Island, Yemen
The Socotra Island is so isolated and distant from any mainland to the extent it is impossible to find one-third of its plant life anywhere in the world. An example of this rare species is the red-sapped dragon’s blood tree, Dracaena Cinnabari.
This weird small archipelago of just four islands in the Indian Ocean was formerly a trade base thousands of years ago. It was mentioned in some ancient texts. Unfortunately, as a result of human habitation similar to the case in other parts of the earth, many plants and animals that were once seen on the Island are no more.
3 Rub’ al Khali, the Arabian Peninsula
The Rub’ al Khali, located in the Arabian Peninsula, is the world’s largest sand desert and a fascinating sight. Stretching over 250,000 square miles, with sands dunes red-orange in color and heights which can be up to 820 feet only few wildlife are able to live here.
Few rodents and scorpions are the main living animals or insect you can find here. It gulps up almost one-third of the Arabian Peninsula, which includes parts of Yemen, the United Arab Emirate, Oman, and most of Saudi Arabia. Being the world richest oil site Rub’ al Khali is incredibly valuable to the Middle East.
4 Mount Ararat, Turkey
The Mount Ararat is popular in Judeo-Christian tradition, reiterating the book of genesis as where Noah’s ark finally rested. Situated about 16,854 feet above sea level it is presently an inactive volcanic cone. Since it borders Azerbaijan and Armenia it can also be seen from both places.
This mount is where the gods live according to Armenian mythology and is a symbol of the identity of the nation. Though there are grasses used by the local Kurdish inhabitants to feed their sheep most areas of the Mount Ararat covered by snow is treeless.
5 Cappadocia Cliffs, Turkey
The Cappadocia Cliffs are soft undulating sites formed by rain and the wind on a volcanic tuff rock. These cliffs are dubbed fairy chimneys and are soft to the point that it is possible to carve and hollow them. This made easy for the Turkish inhabitants living close by to turn it into chapels and homes. Fascinatingly, beneath these beautiful and large rock formations is a link of subterranean cities, which was home to about 10,000 Christians who escaped oppression.
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6 Mount Damavand, Iran
The Mount Damavand is its most popular landscape site. Mount Damavand is likewise the highest volcano in Asia as well as the highest peak in the whole Middle East which is about 18,406 feet above sea level. On the flanks of the volcano and its base are mineral hot springs, which provide therapeutic advantages. There are also public baths nearby. Some of the animals found on the mount are brown bears, wild goats, leopards, and red sheep. The fumaroles close tom the summit crater might likely me active.
7 The Cedars of Lebanon, Lebanon
The Cedars of Lebanon, located in Lebanon, and parts of Syria, Algeria, Morocco, and Turkey are the world’s most amazing trees. The trees are found in large quantity within Lebanon’s conservative parks with some up to 2,000 years old. They grow up to 130 feet in height with the diameter of its trunk about 80 feet. They are very symbolic in the history of Lebanon with references in the bible they are also present on the Lebanese flag.
8 The White Desert, Egypt
The White Desert is the most popular desert destination for tourists in Egypt. The amount of beautiful and unearthly rock formations formed by the wind with shapes appearing like giant pebbles and mushrooms makes it an incredibly unique desert. The desert also has thousands of chalk formation in it, making it even more fascinating.
9 Wadi Rum, Jordan
The Wadi Rum is a valley cut into the granite rock and sandstones of Southern Jordan. The rock formation dubbed 7 pillars of wisdom in respect of T.E. Lawrence the British officer is present here. There are a lot of prehistoric Petroglyphs inscribed on the walls of the rock.
10 The Dead Sea, Israel and Jordan
The Dead Sea is one of the most popular yet hidden natural wonders in the Middle East. It is no longer news that mineral waters have healing powers presently; there are a lot of resorts and spas on its shores. As the name implies no living thing can live in it.
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These are some of the hidden natural wonders in the Middle East, which many people do not know about. Just like every other part of the world, the Middle East has its own hidden natural wonders and a tour to any of these places during vacation will help you appreciate their beauties more. Have you visited any of these places?
Photo: pinterest.com
