Wadi Hamra (Gilf Kebir)
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| Wadi Hamra | |
|---|---|
 Upper section of wadi Hamra | |
  Wadi Hamra | |
| Length | 20 km (12 mi) south-north |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 23°51′8″N 25°27′4″E / 23.85222°N 25.45111°E |
Wadi Hamra (Arabic: الوادي الحمراء, red valley) is a valley of Gilf Kebir, in New Valley Governorate in the extreme south-west of Egypt. It is known for its vegetation and rock encarvings.[1]
The approximately 20 km long wadi Ḥamra is the easternmost of three valleys originating from the Abu Ras Plateau in Gilf Kebir running north, consisting of wadi Ṭalḥ in the west and wadi Abd el-Mālik in the middle. The name of the wadi derives from the color of the sand, which appears reddish due to its high iron oxide content.
Vegetation
The upper section of wadi Hamra receives run-off from the plateau and provides groundwater storage capacity for a remarkable growth of trees and shrubs despite its hyper-arid climate. The vegetation includes Acacia raddiana, shrubs like Maerua crassifolia, fagonias and Zilla spinosa.
