Oases are isolated stretches of vegetation found in
the desert generally surrounding a water body. They are blessings in
disguise which provide habitat to all life forms. Oases can be termed as
the jewel hidden away among the countless sands of the desert. They not
only quench the thirst of humans crossing the arid dry deserts but also
satisfies mankind’s eternal search for beauty. Here is the list of some
pretty wonderful oases villages around the world.
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Ubari Oasis, Libya
Ubari or Awbari is a Berber-speaking oasis town and the capital of the
Wadi al Hayaa District, in the Fezzan region of southwestern Libya. It
is in the Idehan Ubari, a Libyan section of the Sahara Desert. It was
the capital of the former Baladiyah (district) called Awbari, in the
southwest of the country. |
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Huacachina, Peru
Hard to believe it is not the creation of a painter’s brush but an
actual grace of Mother Nature! Huacachina is a wonderland concealed in
the undulating sand dunes of Peru complete with a shining lagoon and
loads of greenery off the city of Ica. The picture perfect village
provides a complete package of aesthetics and convenience to the
travellers. |
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Chebika Oasis, Tunisia
Tucked away in the African country of Tunisia at the foot of mountains
of the Djebel el Negueb is the mountain desert oasis of Chebika. The
place is often rightly referred to as ‘the castle of the Sun’. In the
past Roman soldiers used the place as an African outpost which is
nowadays frequented by tourist. Drawn by its remote other worldly beauty
one of the Star Wars movies was shot here. |
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Timia Oasis, Niger
Timia is a small town and commune in northern Niger situated at an oasis
in the Aïr Mountains, Agadez Region, Arlit Department. Visitors come to
the Tuareg town to see a seasonal waterfall, a former French fort and
the nearby ruined town of Assodé. |
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Crescent Lake, China
An ancient oasis renowned for its role in providing solace to the
Silk-route traders rests peacefully under the scorching sun south of the
city of Dunhuang in China in the Gobi Desert. Here one can collect
Chinese souvenir and enjoy camel ride in the desert. Try imagining what
the oasis will look like in a full moon night!
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Pica, Chile
Situated in the inland of the Atacama Desert in North Chile the charming
and happy town of Pica has formed around the oasis of Pica. The fog of
the Pacific Ocean helps greenery sprout in this desert land. The
pleasant oasis is also frequented by the Chilean flamingos. The
temperatures soar high here and so the communal spring come oasis of
Pica is used by the locals for bathing purpose.
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Zulganai Oasis, Mongolia
The magic of the Gobi desert does not end in China but extends into its
neighbour Mongolia. The beautiful oasis of Zulganai located in South
Mongolia owes its existence to the river Zulganai which originates in
the Mountain of Altan flows through the desert and vanishes into the
sands. Rare migratory birds flock around Zulganai’s cane and willow
vegetation.
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Siwa Oasis, Egypt
This beacon of life with olive and palm trees glitters in a no-man’s
land in the Libyan Desert 560 Kms from Cairo. ‘Siwa’ means protector of
the Egyptian Sun God Amon-Ra. The oasis is known for the Greek Oracle
temple dedicated to the Egyptian Sun God Amun once visited by King
Alexander the Great himself! The mystical Siwa also boasts of a pool
where Queen Cleopatra is believed to have swum according to the legends.
The charm of Siwa is reflected in the language and customs of the locals
who speak their own Berber Language and wear traditional costumes. |
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Ein Gedi, Israel
Ein Gedi finds its mention in the Bible and is often referred as an
oasis in the Garden of Eden. It provides a rare blend of history,
architecture and wilderness of nature. This pretty oasis is located west
of Dead Sea in the Judean desert between Masada and Qumran Caves in
Israel. The place attracts both nature lovers and religious people. It
is hailed as the most important oasis of Israel.
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