Nubian Desert: Flora, Climate, Description

Nubian Desert is one of the regions of the African Sahara Desert. It occupies the eastern part of it and is located between the river Nile and the mountain range Etbai. In the northern part is replaced by another region of the Sahara - the Arabian desert. In Arabic, the desert is called En-Nuba. Its area is more than one million square kilometers, or more precisely - 1,240,000 km². How is the Nuba desert located on the political map of the world? Sudan and Egypt divided its territory into two unequal parts. The Sudan got most of the territory, and Egypt, respectively, smaller.

What is called desert?

Deserts are called natural zones, which are constantly or most of the time hot and arid. The annual amount of precipitation in these zones does not exceed 250 mm. The rate of evaporation of moisture exceeds this index by almost 20 times. Most of the deserts are dominated by flat landscapes. The vegetative world of these zones is rarefied, and the fauna is somewhat specific.

UNESCO and FAO classify as typical deserts almost 23% of terrestrial land. The largest desert is the Sahara, of which the Nubian Desert is a part. The Arctic deserts are considered separately by these organizations.

Formation of relief

Most of the world's deserts are formed on geological platforms. These are the oldest parts of the land. In Africa, they are located at an altitude of 1 thousand meters. The Nubian Desert, described in this article, resembles huge steps, the level of which is reduced from 1 thousand meters to 350 meters. In general, the deserts are surrounded or bordered by mountains. It can be a young mountain system, as in Asia and South America, or old and destroyed massifs. The Nubian desert adjoins the Etbai ridge, which refers to the old mountains. In the western sector of the desert, there are island mountains, whose height is about 1240 m. The eastern sector of the Nuba desert is characterized by the exposure of ancient rocks of the Nubian-Arabian shield. In this part you can find Nubian sandstones, which in other places are covered with sand.

Throughout the plateau pass dry riverbeds. They are called wadi. Each channel lies in a wide valley and chaotically subdivides the plateau into segments. As already mentioned, this desert is characterized by a height difference, and the average height here is about 500 m. The highest point of the Nuba desert is at a level of 2259 m. It is the Oda mountain.

Vegetable world

In severe conditions of the Nuba desert, plants are very difficult to survive. This explains the sparse vegetation cover. Here, xerophyte cereals have managed to survive, which for many centuries have adapted to dry desert climate and can withstand drought and heat. Also here comes the acacia, undemanding tamarisk species in the form of small trees or shrubs. Occasionally there are other prickly bushes and half-shrubs.

In the central part of the Nuba desert, vegetation is especially meager. Even nomads are not at risk here, as unpretentious camels can not find any food.

Animal world

In a territory with an insignificant amount of precipitation and high temperatures, it is not necessary to expect a large number of animals. There are several species of reptiles, mostly poisonous snakes, deserted lizards, lizards, including scintillating species, and geckos.

Larger species of living creatures are concentrated along the Nile. In these places you can meet crocodiles, ibises, jackals, hyenas.

Climate

Can you imagine how hot the Nubian desert is? The climate here is tropical. It is very dry, as precipitation falls too little. Most often in a year, their number does not exceed 25 mm, but sometimes there are completely dry years, in which precipitation does not fall at all.

During the summer, daytime temperatures can reach 53 ° C. In winter, the temperature is lower, the average for January is about 15 ° C.

Historical digression

No one really expects a large local population in a place like the Nuba desert? History tries to prove that it was not always so. Here, in the desert, archeologists now and again come across evidence of the achievements of the civilization of the "black pharaohs". So called the rulers, who headed Egypt for almost a century.

Initially, the Egyptians simply traded with the Nubians, but they did not want to give gold to a weak neighbor, and the Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose captured Nubia. In order to control the main directions of the conquered territories, the fortress of Napata was founded, which in IX in BC. E. Local rulers declared an independent kingdom. At the beginning of Vlll in BC. E. Napatskoe kingdom, taking advantage of the temporary weakness of a neighbor, captured Egypt. By the time of the Nubians, the concept of "black Pharaohs" also applies. Until now, portraits of the Taharka dynasty have been preserved, although Egypt is trying to erase the memory of this time.

Through the century of reign, Pharaoh Psametih II managed to take away the throne and take revenge on the Nubians, destroying Napa. The capital of the Nubian kingdom was moved to Meroe.

For curious

The Nubian desert, though not crowded, has its own sights. So, for example, Ramses 3 built here two temples. So he wanted to exalt himself and his wife. Twenty-meter statues of the gods with their face Ramses 3 placed on the facade.

Many know that in Egypt the cat is sacred. But not everyone knows that she came to this country from the Nuba desert. It was here that the Nubian wild cat lived, which became the ancestor of modern domestic pets.

In 1834, the Sudan allowed excavations on its territory to the Italian archaeologist, who began to study the pyramid of Queen Amishishketo. However, these excavations did not pursue scientific goals. The Italian smashed the tomb, trying to find gold. All his findings, Giuseppe Ferlini was taken home and sold.