20 Most Incredible Desert Oases [pics]
Wed, Sep 17, 2008
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The yellow sand dunes stretch to infinity, whilst the scorching sun of the Sahel beats down on your head. You’re tired and you’re thirsty – you’ve been travelling for miles, searching for water. Yet nonetheless you are cautious: nothing is as it seems in this land of smokescreens and mirrors. “Water! Water!” you begin to scream. No… even imagination is playing tricks on you. But what if in the distance, past the undulating sand dunes, lay the waters of sand-locked lagoons and waterfalls surrounded by palm trees?
It is this vision of utopia, surrounded by barren wasteland that inspired us to catalogue some of the most incredible desert oases before they are devoured by the desert sands and become mirages themselves.
1. Ubari Lakes are part of Erg Awbari Oasis in the Sahara. Located near Fezzan and 30kms north of Germa in Libya, these salt water lakes are a central trading point for many locals, who gather at the edges of the lake selling souvenirs and other goods.
Umm Al-Maa, meaning Mother of Water, is one of the largest lakes in the oasis but unfortunately, like all the lakes, the water table in the area is so low that the lakes are drying up.
As well as the waters being extremely dirty, the saline levels are now similar to the Dead Sea (which is great news if you like floating in crud). The abandoned city of Gebraoun is also relatively nearby with its impressive ruins, the settlement is testament to the life-sustaining qualities that the lakes once had.
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2. Huacachina is a small oasis town in the Ica region of southwest Peru. This oasis, named ‘Oasis of Americas’, is a popular resort with local families and tourists. A legend says the lagoon was created when an inquisitive young hunter disturbed a beautiful princess bathing. She fled, leaving the pool of water behind which became the lagoon.
3. Turpan, or Tulufan as it’s also known, is an oasis city in the Xinjiang Uygur Region in China. It is just 8km west of the ruined city of Jiaohe, a border garrison town destroyed by Genghis Khan during the Han dynasty.
4. We’re not entirely sure where this desert oasis is but we had to include it because, surely, this is what most people perceive as the typical oasis mirage? If anyone has been there, shoot us the location.
5. This wonderful desert lake is set within Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Maranhao, Brasil. It forms part of a system of fresh water lagoons which fill up with rainwater during the first six months of the year and then gradually evaporate over time to be topped up again the following year. Some of the lakes within the park are dotted with palm trees. This lonely lake, however, has one solitary dry branch decorating its banks.
6. Crescent Lake in China’s Gobi Desert sits on the edge of an ancient city that once saw traders embark on their journey along the Silk Road to the West. Today it is drying up and has dropped more than 25 feet in the last 30 years, in part due to water being redirected for local farmers and a doubling of population, resulting in the slow disappearance of a lake that has existed for thousands of years.
7. The beautiful oasis of Chebika in Tunisia is probably one that most people know about without realizing it. It is where Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope was filmed. The story goes that the oasis was actually named after one of the characters, Chewbacca.
8. This stunning image shows three men quenching their thirst at a small waterfall in the Saharan oasis of Timia, in Niger. It’s a picture perfect portrait of everyday oasis life for local desert dwellers.
9. There are always small enclaves or villages dispersed near bodies of water, no matter how small, and this image shows why. Even in desert areas wholes farms can exist with the life giving powers of water.
wikimedia commons
10. This remote desert lake, fringed by sand dunes is located in Khar Nuur, Mongolia. It’s a refreshing swimming spot for travelers who manage to venture into one of the world’s vast desert plains.
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11. Nahal David is a quiet oasis found near Bethlehem, Israel’s Palestinian West Bank. It’s certainly a far cry from the war-torn images often associated with that part of the world.
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12. This sprawling oasis is the village of Tinerhir, located at the foothills of Morocco’s Atlas Mountains. Todra Gorge and oasis are about 14km away so travellers normally visit both oases on the one trip.
13. Ghardaia is the main town in M’zab oasis in northern Algeria. Founded in the 11th century, the city was built around a cave which was reputedly inhabited by the female saint Daïa, and is still revered by M’zabite women today. The oasis offers some wonderful examples of original Arabic medieval architecture and is now a protected UNESCO World Heritage site.
14. This castle is part of an oasis on the western shore of the Persian Gulf in Saudi Arabia, called Qatif. The city dates back to 3,500 BC and was for many years the main town and port in the western Gulf, which meant it was a popular spot for invasion and take over by ruling powers through the ages. This resulted in an eclectic mix of architecture and the area now boasts some of the best archeological sites in the kingdom.
15. This oasis is hidden in the depths of the Oman desert, where a number of green oases dot the landscape. A few oases in the tiny Sultanate, on the corner of the Arabian Peninsula, are hotspots for botanical studies into agro-biodiversity where many of the ancient oasis are in rapid decline; researchers want to figure out why.
16. Nakhl Fort sits overlooking a lush, green date-palm oasis in Oman. These impressive forts were strategically placed across much of the Oman desert, like many places, to protect villagers from invasion.
17. This beautiful unnamed oasis is situated in Niger. If you have any further info, we’d love to hear about it in the comments section. Considering the recent unrest in the country it’s amazing to find places like this still.
18. The lush green carpet of shrubland and fields sit in stark contrast to the barren hills in the background of this typical oasis village. Any clues to where it is?
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8 Trackbacks For This Post
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20 Oasis increibles Says:
September 17th, 2008 at 9:54 pm[...] 20 Oasis increibles www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/desert-oasis/2257 por thombjork hace pocos segundos [...]
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20 oasis para tener a mano en caso de emergencia Says:
September 17th, 2008 at 9:57 pm[...] 20 oasis para tener a mano en caso de emergenciawww.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/desert-oasis/2257 por 2pir hace pocos segundos [...]
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Paradise Is Here | [Coió Online] Says:
September 18th, 2008 at 2:02 pm[...] paraísos perdidos no meio dos inóspitos desertos? O blog Enviromental Grafitti selecionou 30 dos mais esetaculares oasis encontrados em alguns dos maiores desertos do [...]
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A mirage in more than one sense « My agnostic views & images I like Says:
September 18th, 2008 at 6:15 pm[...] Here’s the link to more water in the desert scenes! [...]
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Paul Otlet’s Vision « GaliBlog Says:
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:10 pm[...] 18 such oases all over the world. Pictured is the Umm Al-Maa, one of the Ubari Lakes in Libya. Link. ▶▼ Comment /* 0) { jQuery(’#comments’).show(”, change_location()); [...]
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20 Oásis mais bonitos | Chongas - Um Blog sem Credibilidade (mentira!) Says:
September 29th, 2008 at 11:42 am[...] + O top 20 aqui [...]
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Um Oásis no meio do Peru….Huacachina | Revirando Tudo Says:
November 10th, 2008 at 9:48 pm[...] aí que descobrimos Huacachina, um Oásis, que por sinal é considerado o segundo mais bonito do mundo, igualzinho o dos filmes, no meio do deserto de areia. O lugar é simplesmente incrível, um calor [...]
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Link: 20 Most Incredible Desert Oases [pics] | Patty Hume Says:
January 25th, 2010 at 8:07 am[...] Twitter Pictures Patty Hume Landscape + Water Feature Designer 01.24.2010 Link: 20 Most Incredible Desert Oases [pics] Categories: Uncategorized via environmentalgraffiti.com [...]
September 17th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
hi,
I think that the first picture (and many of the others “unknown”)is a place called “Huacachina”, near the city of Ica, Peru. Just google it and you will see.
September 18th, 2008 at 8:15 am
These are stunning images.
Unfortunately, I’ve never seen landscapes like this. I have always wanted to but either time or, more usually, finances haven’t allowed it.
I’ve visited the Mojave Desert which has some beautiful senery around the Hole In The Wall area, but it’s not trule ‘desert’ landscape.
I’ve also climbed the giant sand dunes of Death Valley. That was incredible. The dunes really are incredible. Sadly, the area they occupy is quite small so while it looks like desert, it doesn’t really feel it as you are never surrounded by nothing but miles and miles of sand.
I’m determined to see deserts such as these one day. The truly are spectacular.
Great photos. Thanks, Linda,
Steve N. Lee
author of eco-blog http://www.lionsledbysheep.com
and suspense thriller ‘What if…?’
September 18th, 2008 at 9:05 am
very good
September 18th, 2008 at 10:23 am
So, you’ve decided to give the West Bank to Israel?
Even Israel doesn’t want to annex it (even though the control it).
September 18th, 2008 at 10:43 am
They even have boats in a desert oasis!, thats amazing.
September 18th, 2008 at 10:43 am
wow…just beautiful
September 18th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Nice pics, I like all of them
September 18th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Great pictures. I would add Balmorhea State Park in west Texas. The largest spring fed swimming hole in Texas right smack dab in the middle of the Chihuahuan desert.
September 18th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Wow, what beautiful places. I had no idea such places even existed.
Lisa
http://www.anonymize.us.tc
September 18th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
The last one looks like Ait Benhaddou in Morocco.
September 18th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
No pictures of Petra, in Jordan?
Thanks – enjoyed it.
September 18th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
I like this article and the pictures but it seems a bit slapped together. First… the title says the “20 most…” but there are only 18 entries. The 3rd picture is used twice. And there are some pictures of unknown origin mixed in with the researched ones, it would probably make more sense to just put all the unknowns together at the end as sort of a ‘bonus’ to the article.
September 18th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
amazing!! esp. the water coming out of the rock in a desert. thanks for sharing this.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
This is very interesting post.
But may be it should add an other place in Iran: “Shahzadeh Garden”
This great garden is in the center of desert.
See pics of it:
http://images.google.com/images?q=%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%BA%20%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%87&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi
September 18th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
The West Bank is not part of Israel. Israel has occupied it since they illegally stole the land during their campaign of genocide.
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:02 pm
I didn’t see any in the USA. Are you some kind of communist?
November 4th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
absolutely stunning and incredible pics.
keep it up.
November 12th, 2008 at 6:21 am
hi,
se it,
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:51 am
Hi. Excellent work. Nice pictures. was a difficult job which some one did with his experience and gave it to persons like us who cannot see the nature(being living to far) except in pictures made by you peoples. Once again thank you very much for showing us the nature. Will request you to make also from our glashiers of Himaliya being difficult area. There are also unforget able scenes of nature Got made specially. Thank you very much.
Chaudhary Muhammad Rafique
Mirpur Azad Kashmir
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:17 am
these pics are really kool ………..specially 4 mi project !
December 23rd, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Sorry to disappoint Al and Someone, but Nahal David and Ein-Gedi are not in the West Bank. They are in undisputed pre-1967 territory of Israel, on the southwest shore of the Dead Sea. In fact, En-Gedi, a village 1 km from the oasis, was established in 1956, 11 years before the term “West Bank” came into place. Also, the oasis is quite remote from Bethlehem. The closest Israeli city is Arad, while the Palestinian one – Hebron.
I checked these data several times before submitting the comment. Punching Israel may be fun, but please (occasionally) take care about the facts.
January 10th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
wonderful place….hope that i’ll visit…luv so much.
January 30th, 2009 at 7:31 am
hi
i love these sceneries but the thing that really inspired me is the way these photography is being done…mid blowing
February 2nd, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Great photos. Thanks. Thats amazing.
Specialy the water coming out of the rock in a desert.
Mian Safdar ALI Shah , TERI, NWFP, PAKISTAN
February 10th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
really a beautiful natural scenes in the dessert
February 18th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
it is a beautiful and nice
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:28 pm
these pitures need more explanations and the definition of desert and oases/oasis….then i will get the whole/full understanding of whats going on….THANKS FOR UR COOPERATION ! ! ! :-P :-D
March 22nd, 2009 at 12:40 am
Que lugares lindos!!!
March 25th, 2009 at 12:09 am
I wish to see these places for myself one day..they are absolutely beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 21st, 2009 at 11:35 am
the picture you have of nachal david is only the bottom most fall the second one is alot nicer here is a picture of it
http://img11.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img261224.jpg
May 1st, 2009 at 2:57 am
Keep On Growing by Learning & Never.. ever.. Give Up.
May 12th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
they recorded a movie ( i believe the newest indiana jones) at number 8
May 20th, 2009 at 8:22 am
I never seen this kind of amazing desert pictures .But may be add some pictures of Chuttok Khuzdar Balochistan.
May 29th, 2009 at 3:55 am
The first picture (”unknown”) is Huacachina in Ica, Peru.
June 11th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Muito lindo e maravilhoso. Adorei. Mohammad Riadh, Vitoris ES – Brasil
June 27th, 2009 at 4:43 am
i think those picture are amazing !
July 5th, 2009 at 10:20 am
No Australian Photos either.
Google – Kings Canyon, Northern Territory, Australia.
This oasis in the middle of Australia is also called “The Garden of Eden”.
Worth a look in my opinion. ;)
July 17th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Why would you have a boat in an oasis. Just walk around the water its not that bug are they that lazy.
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:41 pm
ive been to the gobi desert in china and camped there overnight.. its AMAZING
August 7th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Nakhl is one of many forts set in Date Oasis in Oman. This one dates possibly from before 600AD
August 19th, 2009 at 6:34 am
#11 is Ein Gedi
August 19th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Point of information about Nahal David: It is not particularly close to Bethlehem (it is in fact along the shore of the Dead Sea, which is not exceedingly far from Hebron as the crow flies but the country inbetween is extremely rugged and nearly impassable. Also, Nahal David is NOT in the occupied West Bank, it is within the “Green Line”.
August 29th, 2009 at 6:28 am
I’ve been to the Crescent Lake in China 4 years ago.
Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful.
September 1st, 2009 at 12:57 am
Think I see mirage
September 9th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Great pictures! Some places look unbelievable, lovely to see this!
September 28th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
the last picture is in yemen…
October 10th, 2009 at 7:37 am
wonderful indeed, such beautiful places on earth. wish it all does not become connected with money matters and commerce.
October 29th, 2009 at 4:15 am
It’s amazing. How can I contribute an Oasis of Chalbi desert in Kenya. I have an impressive feature.
October 30th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
It so bytifull
November 8th, 2009 at 2:06 am
thanks for sharing, they look absolutely amazing! i think one if them was actually in Iran, Bam.
November 15th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
you miss two most important oases in human civilization. that’s Makkah and Madinah.
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:15 pm
I think the places are totally new and unknown places and one is very curious to see it all and indulge in it……
November 24th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
I think all the destinations are amazing and and definitely the pictures are taken professionally and it is commendable….
November 29th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
I wish I would visit one of this oases.
It’s a dream.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:07 am
Hi Linda,
Just wanted to send you a quick note to let you know that the first photo in your series of
20 Most Incredible Desert Oases [pics] on the environmental graffiti website
is of Huacachina, Peru. That image is my photograph, which is a copyrighted image. While I appreciate that you have included one of my images in your collection, I’d like to remind you that reproducing and publishing copyrighted material, including photographs, without permission or licensing agreements and payment is illegal.
Thank you.
Deddeda Stemler
December 9th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Great Job. Awesome.
Carry on Guys. That so cool;
December 18th, 2009 at 9:35 am
An interesting phenomenon happens when the oasis dries out… where do the animals go for water?
Artificial oasis can be observed in the Kara Kum Desert in Turkmenistan:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ifl/3877530270/
December 27th, 2009 at 4:06 am
I would like that you see the desert oase that we have here in Peru, named La Huacachina in the south of this country, in Ica. It’s very beautiful. This is already the only oase in America.
January 10th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Are those all real? Its hard to believe some of them weren’t Photoshopped. Seriously, I mean 3 or 4 of them don’t look real.
John R. Carlisle
January 12th, 2010 at 8:09 am
The pictures, I love, The great creature of Allah, Realy amazing, Will not forget.
Thanks a lot for giving the opportunity to look the beauty of nature
Regards
Gias Uddin
January 17th, 2010 at 4:34 am
The #17 unknown oasis is Fachi in Niger. The photo is by Alice Aubert. Fachi is about halfway between Agades in the Air Massif (Where Timia is), and the line of Kaouar oases running north of Lake Chad to Libya. Its right in the mist of the Bilma Erg, and an old stop on the salt caravan route from Bilma. It’s very beautiful. You can visit it by camel train from Agadez. It wasn’t much disturbed by the Tuareg insurgency.
February 5th, 2010 at 10:24 pm
ait benhaddou. last picture. gladiator was filmed there.