The golden desert: Sahara desert

Published in Young Nation 24, September 2011

The golden desert: Sahara desert

The golden desert: Sahara desert

Nature has given us many wonders some are man made and some are natural. Man has tried and trying to make out of the box wonders through their innovation but man can never beat nature. Natural wonders include desserts, forests, rivers, oceans etc. By hearing the word dessert dry golden sand and hot climate strikes the mind which is actually true. Pakistan is also blessed with this gift of nature. We have Cholistan, Indus Valley, Kharan, Thal, and Thar Desert present in different parts of Pakistan but Sahara Desert is the largest desert in the world.

It is present in the continent of Africa covering almost eleven countries, fully or partially desert. It includes countries: Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia etc. Being the largest hot desert in the world, Sahara Desert is spread over an area of more than 9,000,000 sq km. In terms of area, it can be say that Sahara desert is equivalent to the continent of America. From north to south the Sahara is between 800 and 1,200 miles and is at least 3,000 miles (4,800 km) from east to west. The desert divides the continent of Africa into two parts - North and Sub-Saharan Africa.. On the west, the Sahara is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and on the east by the Red Sea, and to the north are the Atlas Mountains and Mediterranean Sea. The Sahara is one of the hottest places on Earth. Its temperature may rise to 136 F (57.7 C). On the other hand Antarctica is considered as the ice dessert.

Nature ha splashed its colors every where. It’s a general perception that a dessert is hot and dry so living things can’t live there but plants have the courage to stand bravely in such heat. These plants are very specially. It includes:

Orange trees: Most people associate oranges with California or Florida. But the hot and dry regions of the Sahara also give rise to orange trees, particularly along the Nile River, and other oasis spots in the desert.

Herbs: One of the most popular herbs in American kitchens is thyme. However thyme is very important ingredient of our food also as our pizzas are incomplete with this herb.  Many Sahara residents grow thyme in their gardens to spice up their food.

Fig trees: It’s almost hard to believe that delicious, moist figs grow in the harsh climate of the Sahara, but figs have been a staple of the Sahara diet for centuries.

Magaria: These light brown fruits are roughly the size of a cherry. The people who live in Sahara region use dry magaria to make cakes.

Olive trees: Olive is the speciality of Sahara dessert. It is one a beauty secret to have a healthy, shiny and beautiful skin. Olives or olive oil is almost present in everyone’s house. As it’s the main ingredient to cook food and to garnish pizzas.

However cactus tree is the main charm of any dessert.

Sahara dessert is also rich in animals. Wildlife of Sahara dessert is very attractive. A long with the plants there are many animals that are committed to Sahara dessert. It includes animals:

Camels: When one says the word 'desert', first golden and dry sand strikes the mind and second word that comes to our mind is 'camel'. Camels are usually associated with desserts because they are tall and can store liters of water inside them. There are two major types of camels found in the world, Bactrian and Dromedary camels. The Dromedary camel, which is said to be of Arabian Origin, is the main Saharan camel.Camels is domestic animals and residents of Sahara use them for their domestic purposes.

Addax Antelope: Addax Antelope is one of the most beautiful animals in the world. But unfortunately this animal is the most hunted animal around the world. Therefore they are rare. Antelopes are flat-footed antelopes that can easily traverse the sandy landscape of the Sahara. The Addax Antelope is classified as an endangered animal.

Ostrich:  Ostriches are the largest birds in the world and different breeds of ostriches are found in various parts of the Sahara desert. An average ostrich can run at 40 miles per hour.

Goats: Goats are found almost everywhere in the world, so as in Sahara desert Goats are popularly domesticated by the Saharan people along with camels. Goats are mainly domesticated for their milk but are sometimes used to carry goods.

Dorcas Gazelle: The Dorcas Gazelle is another exceptionally beautiful animal found in the Sahara. It is the most common species of gazelle and stands up to 65 cm tall and weighs around 25 kg. It is also known as the Ariel Gazelle.

Death stalker Scorpion: Scorpions are another breed of animals that are commonly found in desert areas.  the death stalker scorpion is the native scorpion of the Sahara Desert. It can grow up to 10 cm long and although toxic, its venom is not very fatal.

Monitor lizard: The monitor lizard is another native of the Sahara Desert as it stands on its two hind legs and appears to be monitoring the surroundings.

Sand Vipers: Sand Vipers can grow up to 50 cm in length. They venture out only during the night, and usually bury themselves in the sand during the day. Their bites too are rarely fatal.

God can puff life into a dead creature so having life in dessert is not a big deal. Sahara is the hottest dessert of the world. We people from Pakistan can’t survive in it but people who lives there are habitual of this atmosphere and their bodies are ready to face harsh temperatures whether they are residents of Sahara or plants and animals of the desert.