The Largest Continuous Sandy Desert in Saudi Arabia

The largest continuous sandy desert of the world is in Saudia Arabia. Rub’ al Khali, also called as the ‘Empty Quarter’ is the largest continuous sand desert to ever exist in the world with most of its portion in Saudia Arabia and some extending into neighboring countries of Yemen, Oman and United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.).

Sandy Desert in Saudi Arabia

If you are touring the region on a visit visa or planning to explore KSA after the performance of holy rituals with All-inclusive Umrah Packages UK, it’s a must visit. As a natural wonder, this desert has a lot to offer for you because most of its area remains unexplored till date.

Here’s what you need to know about he largest continuous sand desert in Saudia Arabia.

Size and area

Rub’ al Khali’s estimated size is about is as 650,000 square kilometres (251,000 square miles). When compared, it is;

• More than twice the total area of the United Kingdom.
• Five times the size of the US state of Arizona.
• The size of France

The major chunk of this desert, nearly 80%, is present within the boundaries of Saudia Arabia. However, some part of it extends to the adjacent areas of Oman, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates.

Notorious Sand dunes

The sand dunes of the Empty Quarter are known for their ever changing landscape. The height of these sand dunes can reach up to 250 members (820 feet).

In the western part of this desert in Sadia Arabia, the elevation of the sand is nearly 610 meters (2,000 feet) above sea level with a fine and soft texture. However, in the eastern part of this desert the elevation is only about 180 metres (600 feet) above the sea level.

Temperature

Rub’ al Khali has a very inhabitable and dry climate. The summertime temperature here reaches as high as 55 Degrees Celsius (131 Degrees Fahrenheit) while the winter nights are nearly freezing. The region also receives very minimal rainfall, estimated at only 30 millimetres (or 1.2 inches) per year.

However due to the very condition and it being largely unexplored, the Empty quarter is believed to be very rich in oil reserves. In fact, during 1948, a famous oil filed ‘Al-Ghawār’ was discovered in the north-east of this desert.

On the other hand, the southeast part of this desert near United Arab Emirates and Oman holds the Al-Shaybah refinery having large reserves of natural gas.

If you are planning to visit this desert next year, you can get a golden chance by picking Umrah Packages 2025 in advance, the best time is from October to March because of the comparatively less harsh weather conditions persisting in the region.

Bedouin people

Despite the inhabitable condition of the Empty Quarter, Bedouin people have been living here for centuries. Their nomadic lifestyle and lifestyle changes have made them adapt to the harsh weather conditions of this desert for their living.

Salt flats

Also called as Sabkhas, Salt Flats are another major phenomenon of the Empty Quarter. They form when water form already minimal rainfall here evaporates and leaves behind a layer of salt that is treacherous to pass because of the possibility of getting stuck there.

Oasis

Among the many oases of the Empty Quarter, ‘Liwa Oasis’ is a notable mention because it has remained a vital source of life for animals, humans and plants living tin this desert. This oasis is present in the UAE’s part of Rub’ al Khali.

Plants and animals

Ghaf tree and desert shrubs are the most common here. On the other hand, the Arabian Oryx, sand gazelles, desert reptiles and insects are widely seen in Rub’ al Khali.

Activities

The activities you can do during your visit to Rub’ al Khali include 4×4 off-roading, quad biking, sand boarding, camel treks and stargazing during the night. You can also interact with the Bedouin people, stay in Bedouin style camps and be a part of their cultural and musical performances.

There are many archaeological sites present in the Empty Quarter. However, you may need special permission to enter them from the officials. In the same way, if you wish to cross the international borders in exploration of the Rub’ al Khali i.e. entering Yemen, Oman or UAE; you need to have a valid visa and permission for it to avoid any inconvenience.

Final Thoughts

The Empty Quarter — also known as the Rub’ al Khali, one of humankind’s hottest, driest and most forbidding environments in history.

Spanning the distance of nearly a third of Southern California, the massive expanse of sand that is both known as one. It’s also divided into many names for various locations within it represents an enormous sandy desert with a complex mosaic pattern barely recognizable at human scale through satellite imagery.

The Empty Quarter is a monument to the unyielding force of nature and its uncanny secrets: From towering dunes that seduce lovers, to clandestine oases nestled mysteriously behind their beak backs.

Frequently Asked Questions