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Farafra Oasis
Ancient Egyptian: Ta-iht
Oasis in the Western Desert in Egypt, with about 5,000 inhabitants (2002 estimate).
Farafra is not the smallest inhabited oasis of the Western Desert, as it often is claimed. Both Zayyan and Qara are smaller both in area and inhabitants.
Farafra is 180 km south of Bahariyya Oasis and 540 km southwest of Cairo, Dakhla Oasis is 300 km southeast.
Farafra's depression is the home of the White Desert, perhaps Egypt's foremost nature attraction. This area is shaped from sandstorms forming massive sparkling white chalk rocks.
Farafra has several small, hot springs and even a small lake. The main settlement is Qasr Farafra.
Farafra appears not to have been part of the Ancient Egyptian culture and civilization, rather a part of ancient Libya. The oldest identified settlements go back to Roman times.
HISTORY
13th century BCE: Farafra becomes inhabited by Libyans.
1970's CE: Road is opened to Farafra, linking it to other urban centres of Egypt.
© Copyright 1996-2008 LookLex Ltd. All rights reserved
By: Tore Kjeilen
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