Why is the Wadi Rum desert red?

The harder compound has resulted in high steep cliffs with narrow sandy valleys slicing through them. This concentration of iron oxide causes a red colouration and is one notable aspect of Wadi Rum. Across southern Jordan, places get their names from the ochre hues in the sand, including the Nabatean city of Petra.



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First and foremost, it is the landscape which makes Wadi Rum such a memorable place to visit. It really is fabulous. Also known as the Valley of the Moon, Wadi Rum is a desert landscape stretching into the horizon, the red, sandy terrain punctuated by fantastic rock formations, craggy mountains and narrow canyons.

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It is set on a high plateau at the western edge of the Arabian desert. Wadi Rum is a desert valley cut into sandstone and granite mountains, featuring a varied landscape of narrow canyons, towering cliffs, natural arches, inscriptions, rock carvings and archaeological remains.

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Question: Which desert was 'Star Wars' filmed in? Answer: Several scenes of the films in the 'Star Wars' franchise have been filmed in desert regions. This includes the Tatooine desert planet shot in Tunisia, North Africa and the desert planet Pasaana shot in Wadi Rum, Jordan.

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Part of the reason that camping in Wadi Rum is so affordable during the initial booking process is that the guides running the camps make a good chunk of their money selling Jeep tours and camel rides. This is simply part of the process, and nothing to be worried about at all–but it helps to know what to expect.

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Wadi Rum was formed over millions of years of geological evolution - the massive rock mountains and mesas were thrown high above sea level by primordial tectonic plate movement and shaped by centuries of harsh winds and blowing sand.

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Wadi Rum, also known as Valley of the Moon, is a desert the size of 720km squared, cut into sandstone and granite rock. Many years ago, the sea formed the strange shapes you see in the sandstone. The highest peak in Wadi Rum is Jabal Um ad Adami (1,840m), which lies close to the Saudia Arabian border.

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Wadi Rum was formed over millions of years of geological evolution - the massive rock mountains and mesas were thrown high above sea level by primordial tectonic plate movement and shaped by centuries of harsh winds and blowing sand.

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Lawrence recorded many of his experiences in the Jordanian desert in the book Seven Pillars of Wisdom. He spent lots of his time in Wadi Rum, Azraq, and Amman, and today visitors can follow in his footsteps in one of these top Lawrence of Arabia experiences.

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Wadi Rum began underwater. It's hard to imagine, but ions ago the area of Wadi Rum was all water. The sandstone formations were created underwater from layers of sediments and ancient sea life. Evidence of its past water life is everywhere in Wadi Rum.

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Several species of insects and arthropods are found in Wadi Rum, including scorpions, spiders, ants, bees, wasps, moths and beetles.

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Although there's no malaria in Petra and Wadi Rum there are mosquitoes so spray and cover up accordingly, especially after dark, to avoid becoming a midnight snack.

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The key to survival in the desert is of course water. Nomadic Bedouins only stay in Wadi Rum during the rainy winter months, when water is easier to find and there is more vegetation for animals to graze on.

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