The Land of Sand: Saudi Arabia Class 5 Notes SST

Introduction

• Hot deserts are among the most fascinating places on our planet! 
•  These areas are characterized by their vast expanses of golden sand, tall dunes, and intense sunlight, creating a distinct landscape that is unlike any other. 
•  Deserts receive very little rainfall, which allows for a unique variety of plants and animals that have adapted to thrive in these extreme conditions. 
•  One of the most well-known deserts is located in Saudi Arabia, on the Arabian Peninsula. This country is home to the largest continuous sand desert in the world, called the Rub' al Khali or the Empty Quarter. 
•  Get ready to embark on a journey into the Land of Hot Sand! 

Saudi Arabia is known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. People want to learn about the special desert climate there and how it affects the lives of the people. Deserts are big, dry areas with only a little bit of plant life. They are important parts of the Earth's ecosystem. In deserts, animals and plants have special ways of surviving in the hot, dry conditions.

Saudi Arabia - Location

Secrets of Desert Climate

• Deserts have very little rainfall, usually 250mm or less.
• The Atacama Desert in South America gets only about 0.8 mm of rain on average.
• Some deserts are cold and located near the Arctic and Antarctic circles.
• Hot or tropical deserts are found between 15° and 30° north and south of the equator.
• Examples of hot deserts include the Arizona Desert in North America, the Sahara in Africa, and the Arabian Desert in Saudi Arabia.
• Cold deserts are found around the Tropic of Capricorn, such as the Atacama Desert in South America and the Kalahari Desert in Africa.
  
• Deserts have extreme climates with large differences between day and night temperatures.
• Rainfall in deserts can be very rare, but when it does rain, it can cause floods.
• Desert terrain can include rugged mountains, plateaus, or plains covered in sand dunes.

Desert Life: Plants and Animals

• Plants in deserts are low-growing, thorny, and have deep roots to conserve water.
• Some desert plants only bloom for a short time after rain.
• Common desert animals include insects, reptiles, birds, rodents, and a few large mammals.
• Most desert animals drink water when available or get fluids from succulent plants or their prey.
• Succulent plants are plants that have thick, fleshy parts, usually to store water. They are well-adapted to dry environments and can survive with very little water.
• Many desert animals are nocturnal and have special adaptations to survive in harsh conditions.
• Nocturnal animals are creatures that are active during the night and sleep during the day. They have special adaptations that help them see and find food in the dark.
• Camels are well-suited to desert life with their ability to eat thorny bushes, store fat in their humps, and survive long periods without water.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia