Eastern (Arabian) Desert, Egypt

Eastern (Arabian) Desert of Egypt is the largest desert in eastern Egypt. Covering an area of about 85,690 sq miles, this largest desert of Eastern Egypt originates from southeast of the Nile River Delta. It extends up to northeastern Sudan in southeast direction and from the Nile river valley eastward to Gulf of Suez and Red Sea.

Also known by the name of "Arabian Desert", the Eastern Desert of Egypt is well dissected. In the east it rises up to a formidable range of mountains some of them achieving height of 6,600 ft and 7,176ft. But there is a considerable decrease in the height in stages at the Red Sea. Numerous dry valleys divide this hilly desert terrain of Egypt. But during the rainfall season, these dry valleys give birth to luxuriant vegetation.

The caravan routes across the desert between the Nile Valley and the Red Sea had served as a trade route used for trading purpose with Sinai, Arabia, India and with the countries located on the east coast of African Continent. Later Egyptian pilgrims for reaching Mecca followed these routes after the arrival of Islam.

The Eastern (Arabian) Desert of Egypt comprises of almost one-fourth of total land surface of Egypt. The northern tier of the Arabian Desert is a limestone plateau that stretches from the Mediterranean coastal plain to a point opposite Qina.