White Desert National Park
Rock formations at White Desert National Park
Map showing the location of White Desert National Park
Map showing the location of White Desert National Park
Location in Egypt
Location570 km (350 mi) southwest of Cairo
Nearest cityQasr Al Farafra
Coordinates27°16′38.41″N 28°12′1.59″E / 27.2773361°N 28.2004417°E / 27.2773361; 28.2004417
Area300 km2 (120 sq mi)
Established2002

Sahara el Beyda, the White Desert Protected Area, is a national park in Egypt, first established as a protected area in 2002. It is located in the Farafra depression, 45 km (28 mi) north of the town of Qasr Al Farafra. Part of the park is in the Farafra Oasis (New Valley Governorate).[1]

The park is the site of large white chalk rock formations, created through erosion by wind and sand. It is also the site of cliffs (at the northern end of the Farafra Depression), sand dunes (part of the Great Sand Sea), as well as Wadi Hennis and oases at Ain El Maqfi and Ain El Wadi.

White Desert National Park covers an area of 300 km2 (120 sq mi). The highest point in the park is at El Qess Abu Said at 353 m (1,158 ft) above sea level, and the lowest is at Wadi Hennis at 32 m (105 ft).[2]

The park serves as the refuge for various animals, including the endangered Rhim gazelle and the vulnerable Dorcas gazelle, as well as Barbary sheep; jackals; Rüppell's, red and fennec foxes; and the sand cat.

References

  1. ↑ "Welcome to White Desert" (PDF). Ministry of Environment, Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency. Cairo: Parks Egypt. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  2. ↑ "White Desert National Park". National Parks. Irving, TX: Global Alliance of National Parks. Retrieved 2021-02-25.


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