An Oasis is a fertile tract in a desert where the water table approaches the surface. It is found every part on the globe but more relevant in the arid land with little or no vegetation. Its unique geographical formation gives showers of relief to the deserts and arid regions. Dates, cotton, olives, figs, citrus fruits, wheat and corn (maize) are common oasis crops.
Formation of Oasis
Oasis can formed naturally or man-made. But here, we will talk about the natural process of Oasis formation.
Geographically, it is formed due to the faulting and climatic condition which creates depression in arid region. This depression expanding and enlarged by the extreme weather condition in the arid region then the underground aquifer or river that creates enough pressure for water to seep to the surface. Surface rivers, rainstorms etc. are factors which would help in the formation of the oasis.
It is also created artificially by digging or drilling for a water source underground.
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Benefits of the Oasis
Oasis plays important role in the survival of life in the desert as well as other harsh and dry climates around the world. The benefits of the oasis are given below:
1. It provides water for irrigation and drinking purposes.
2. It is the only place in the desert and arid region to grow crops.
3. The unique formation of oasis attracts the tourist.
4. It will help in the survival of trading community who travel for long distance in the desert for trading.
5. Nomadic people of the desert take shelter nearby the oasis because they get food and water for survival.
6. It helps in the water preservation and conservation in the desert and arid region.
7. It helps to retain water in the ground, so that the trees, shrubs and other flora can thrive in the environment.
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Famous Oasis in the world
Oases are found in desert or arid regions of the Arabian Peninsula, the Sahara Desert and many other desert regions of the world.
1. Agua Caliente
Location: Tucson, Arizona
2. Oasis on a Ranch in Red Rock Canyon
Location: Las Vegas, USA
3. Sonoran Desert Oasis
Location: United States and Mexico
4. Oasis Ein Gedi
Location: Israel
5. Abraham’s Oasis
Location: Syria
6. Crescent Lake
Location: Gobi Desert, China
7. Timia Oasis
Location: Niger
8. Umm al-Maa
Location: Libya
9. Huacachina
Location: Peru, America
10. Ziz Oasis
Location: Sahara Desert, Morocco
11. Ubari Oasis
Location:
12. Al Hasa Oasis
Location: Hofuf, Al-Ahsa Governorate, Saudi Arabia
13. Chebika Oasis
Location: Tunisia
14. Oasis Turpan
Location: Xinjiang, China
Hence, we can say that oasis’s are the life line of the desert or semi-desert region because it combined the human settlement and a cultivated area in a desert or semi-desert environment.
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