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Egypt
Oasis :
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The Oasis:
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The word oasis is often used to describe a place
where you can forget the cares of everyday life,
relax, rest and renew yourself.
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Egypt's oasis are just that: unspoilt refuges
from the modern world, pockets of civilization
in the dramatic setting of the desert.
Surrounded by sand and sky, the oases have a
sense of timelessness rare in the 20th century .
Man and nature have co-existed here since the
Stone Age, but the stars, the rock formations
and the dunes defy the calculation of human
calendars.
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Egypt's oasis are still the most varied in the
world, each with a distinguished character of
its own. Wherever you stay, enjoy the
tranquility of the Bedouin lifestyle, the date
groves and pigeon towers.
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For adventure and excitement, explore the
majesty of the desert by camel or jeep safari,
spend a night under the stars. Take a morning
dip in the hot sulphur springs, the water and
silt which have numerous curative properties.
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Fayoum:
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The name Fayoum originates from the hieroglyphic
word Bayoum, which meant " The Sea" a
reference to the large inland Lake Qaroun. Only
two hours from Cairo by road, fayoum is renowned
for its year-round warm climate, numerous water
wheels ( introduced by the Ptolemies in the 3 rd
century BC ) and lush a gricultural land.
Opposite the local marketplace in Fayoum City is
the Hanging Mosque, built above five arches, and
nearby is the 15th century Mosque of Khunda
Asla-Bey built by Sultan Qaitbey for his wife.
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Fayoum has a traditional hunting ground since
pharaonic times when Crocodilpolis, centre of
the cult of Sobek, was the capital of the
region. There are many pharaonic sites in the
area.
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Birflife still abound around Lake Qaroun, a
protected area bordered by tourst villages,
hotels and fishing cenyers. Visitors can sail,
windsurf, swim and fish, Other places of
outstanding natural beauty near Fayoum are the
mineral spring at Ain Al-Sillin , Ain El Shaer
and the waterfalls at Wadi Al Rayan, a natural
preserve, located 40km towards Baharia Oasis,
which are also suitable for swimming and
picnics.
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Siwa
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Siwa, the most inaccessible of all Egypt's oasis
until very recently, is also one of the most
Fascinating. On the edge of the Great Sand Sea,
its rich history includes a visit from Alexander
the Great to consult the Oracle of Amun in 331
BC. Siwans have their own culture and customs
and they speak a Berber language, called Siwa,
rather than Arabic. Many women still wear
traditional costumes and silver jewelry like
those displayed in The Traditional Siwan House
museum in the town center.
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Bahariya
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Set in a depression covering over 2000 sq. km.,
Bahariya Oasis is surrounded by black hills made
up of ferruginous quartzite and dolorite. Most
of the villages and cultivated land can be
viewed from the top of the 50-meter-high Jebel
al-Mi'ysrah, together with the massive dunes
which threaten to engulf some of the older
settlements. Wildlife is plentiful, especially
birds such as wheatears; crops (which only cover
a small percentage of the total area) include
dates, olives, apricots, rice and corn.
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Farafra
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Farafra, known as Ta-iht or the Land of the Cow
in pharaonic times, is a single village. The
most isolated of the New Valley Oases it is
renowned for its strong traditions and piety.
According to folklore, the villagers once lost
track of time and had to send a rider to Dakhla
so they could hold the Friday prayers on the
right day. The oldest part of the village, on a
hillside, is next to peaceful walled palm
groves; short rides away there are hot sulphur
springs at Bir Setta and swimming at El-Mufid
Lake.
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Dakhla
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The Dakhla Oasis lies to the northwest of Kharga
and is also about 310 km to the southeast of
Farafra. This oasis consists of 14 settlements
and has a population of about 70,000 people.
Dakhla is the farthest oasis out of Cairo and is
considered one of Egypt's most beautiful oasis.
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Kharga
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Kharga was once the only stop on the Forty Days
Road, the infamous slave-trade route between
North Africa and the tropical south. Today, it
is the largest New Valley oasis and its modern
city houses 60,000 people, including 1,000
Nubians who moved here after the creation of
Lake Nasser.
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The New Valley
Oases:
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The four New Valley Oasis are situated along a
dead, prehistoric branch of the Nile and depend
on spring and wells tapping underground water
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The White Desert:
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A trip to the White Desert it something that no
visitor to the New Valley should miss. Travelers
coming from Bahariya will cross through the
black Desert, passing the tiny oasis of El Heez
on the way. Nearby, there are some Roman ruins,
including a church with Coptic graffiti.
Bahariya and Farafra are separated by huge
golden sand dunes which make a stunning
photograph during the journey. Once you enter
the White Desert through Al-Sillim passage , you
meet a unique landscape of surreal wind-eroded
rock formation which is particularly fascinating
at sunrise or sunset. Camel and jeep trips,
including a hot meal and fresh bread, made in
the sand Bedouin style. can be arranged from
Farafra.
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