Arid areas

A region is arid when it is characterized

by a severe lack of available water, to
the extent of hindering or preventing
the growth and development of plant
and animal life. Environments subject
to arid climates tend to lack vegetation
and are called xeric or desertic.
Nearly half the countries of the world
face problems of aridity.
From 1951 to 1964, UNESCO conducted a world programme of
research to encourage and advance study of the problems of these
regions. In the last decade, UNESCO has also participated in the
preparation of several small-scale thematic maps which synthesize
current knowledge of the natural resources of the arid and semi-arid
zones. These include: the world soil map, the bioclimatic map of the
Mediterranean zone, vegetation maps of the Mediterranean region,
of Africa and of South America, and continental geo-logical map.
The main types of arid climate and land
use are: Mediterranean Europe; Maghrib
and Libyan Arab Jamahiriya; Near and
Middle East; Central Asia; Indian Sub-
Continent; Australia; Sahara; Sahelian and
Sudanese Zones; Africa and Madagascar;
Americas.SS

Egypt is a very dry country. Only 5 per cent of the land is cultivated,
limited to the alluvial soils of the Nile valley.
Location of arid areas in Egypt:
  Western desert.
 Eastern desert.
 Sinai Peninsula.

Causes of aridity
 Atmospheric high-pressure zones.
 The presence of dry.
 descending air.
 Distance one of the causes is the distance between the region
and the oceanic moisture sources.
 Wind system.
 Aridity can also result from the lack of storm systems.
 Lack of rainfall and High temperature.

Why should we develop the use of arid areas?

 Big crowded cities like Cairo, Giza and Alex suffer from
overpopulation and urban congestion, so improving the
use of arid areas will be the key factor in the development
of a national policy for population.

 Arid areas are rich in high solar energy, so it can

contribute much needed energy sources by using viable
technology.

 Arid lands are virgin lands which makes it possible to

apply modern technology and control the planning
process more than the valley.

 Their dry warm sunny climate and air quality make it an

attractive place for active tourism centers.
How can we improve arid areas?
1- Improving ways of living and improving services and facilities.
2- Reclamation of desert land.
3- Prospecting of groundwater.
4- Building large factories and increasing production.

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