Qattara Depression Attractions

mi/18,000 sq. km, and at its lowest point lies 440ft/134m below sea level. It owes its origin to wind erosion, which at some points has gouged out the surface as far down as the watertable.

In recent years there have been intensive investigations into the possibility of the economic development of the area. Test drillings for oil (at the end of the 1950s by the Soviet Union, since 1979 by the Royal Dutch Shell group) have so far yielded no result. During the past 20 years wate forced up by artesian pressure at the old well known as Qifar 1 has formed a considerable lake, now surrounded by reed and frequented by migratory waterfowl.

The so called Qattara Project has been the subject of repeated study and investigation since 1916. The idea is to cut a 37mi/60km long canal from the Mediterranean and channel sea water into the depression. With a difference in level of some 177ft/54m when the basin was full it would then be possible to harness the water for the production of electric power and perhaps also to operate a plant for the desalination of sea water. The inland sea thus created, with an area of 4,650 sq. mi/12,000 sq. km, would probably exert a moderating influence on the climate of the surrounding area and might lead to an increase in rainfall. Carrying out the project would involve a number of nuclear blasting operations. Although the scheme is technically feasible its realization seems likely to give rise to difficulties and problems, and for the time being at any rate the plan, which was vigorously espoused by President Sadat, has been put into suspense.