Nefud
Encyclopedia
An Nafud or Al-Nefud or The Nefud (Arabic,صحراء النفود, ṣahrā' al-nefud) is a desert
in the northern part of the Arabian Peninsula
at 28.30°N 41.00°W, occupying a great oval depression. It is 180 miles (290 km) long and 140 miles (225 km) wide, with an area of 40,000 square miles (103,600 km²).
The Nafud is an erg
, noted for its sudden violent winds, which account for the large crescent-shaped dunes. Rain comes once or twice a year. In some lowland areas, namely those near the Hejaz
Mountains, there are oases where dates, vegetables, barley, and fruits are raised. The Nefud is connected to the Rub' al Khali by the Dahna, a corridor of gravel plains and sand dunes, 800 miles (1,287 km) long and 15 to 50 miles (24.1-80.5 km) wide.
Before the Battle of Aqaba
(during the Arab Revolt
) forces led by Auda ibu Tayi
attacked the Turkish-held coastal town of Aqaba
on its poorly-defended eastern flank, achieved by taking a long and wide desert route, passing close to the edge of the Nafud. Col. T. E. Lawrence asked Auda ibu Tayi to allow their group to stray from their course into the Nafud. Auda refused, because it was unnecessary. Their harsh transit did not include entering the Nafud, as is depicted in the film Lawrence of Arabia
.
Desert
A desert is a landscape or region that receives an extremely low amount of precipitation, less than enough to support growth of most plants. Most deserts have an average annual precipitation of less than...
in the northern part of the Arabian Peninsula
Arabian Peninsula
The Arabian Peninsula is a land mass situated north-east of Africa. Also known as Arabia or the Arabian subcontinent, it is the world's largest peninsula and covers 3,237,500 km2...
at 28.30°N 41.00°W, occupying a great oval depression. It is 180 miles (290 km) long and 140 miles (225 km) wide, with an area of 40,000 square miles (103,600 km²).
The Nafud is an erg
Erg (landform)
An erg is a broad, flat area of desert covered with wind-swept sand with little or no vegetative cover. The term takes its name from the Arabic word ʿarq , meaning "dune field"...
, noted for its sudden violent winds, which account for the large crescent-shaped dunes. Rain comes once or twice a year. In some lowland areas, namely those near the Hejaz
Hejaz
al-Hejaz, also Hijaz is a region in the west of present-day Saudi Arabia. Defined primarily by its western border on the Red Sea, it extends from Haql on the Gulf of Aqaba to Jizan. Its main city is Jeddah, but it is probably better known for the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina...
Mountains, there are oases where dates, vegetables, barley, and fruits are raised. The Nefud is connected to the Rub' al Khali by the Dahna, a corridor of gravel plains and sand dunes, 800 miles (1,287 km) long and 15 to 50 miles (24.1-80.5 km) wide.
Before the Battle of Aqaba
Battle of Aqaba
Battle of Aqaba was fought for the Jordanian port of Aqaba. The attacking forces of the Arab Revolt, led by Auda ibu Tayi and T. E. Lawrence , were victorious over the Turkish defenders.-Background:...
(during the Arab Revolt
Arab Revolt
The Arab Revolt was initiated by the Sherif Hussein bin Ali with the aim of securing independence from the ruling Ottoman Turks and creating a single unified Arab state spanning from Aleppo in Syria to Aden in Yemen.- Background :...
) forces led by Auda ibu Tayi
Auda ibu Tayi
Auda ban Harb al-Abo Seed al-Mazro al-Tamame abu Tayi, also Auda ibu Tayi, Awda abu Tayi, etc. was the leader of a section of the Howeitat or Huwaytat tribe of Bedouin Arabs at the time of the Great Arab Revolt during the First World War...
attacked the Turkish-held coastal town of Aqaba
Aqaba
Aqaba is a coastal city in the far south of Jordan, the capital of Aqaba Governorate at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba. Aqaba is strategically important to Jordan as it is the country's only seaport. Aqaba is best known today as a diving and beach resort, but industrial activity remains important...
on its poorly-defended eastern flank, achieved by taking a long and wide desert route, passing close to the edge of the Nafud. Col. T. E. Lawrence asked Auda ibu Tayi to allow their group to stray from their course into the Nafud. Auda refused, because it was unnecessary. Their harsh transit did not include entering the Nafud, as is depicted in the film Lawrence of Arabia
Lawrence of Arabia (film)
Lawrence of Arabia is a 1962 British film based on the life of T. E. Lawrence. It was directed by David Lean and produced by Sam Spiegel through his British company, Horizon Pictures, with the screenplay by Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson. The film stars Peter O'Toole in the title role. It is widely...
.