Egypt has unveiled an ambitious project to convert its desert land into habitable areas to address its demographic challenges.
With less than 4% of its land deemed habitable, accommodating 113.5 million people within such a limited space has proven daunting for the North African nation.
More than 90% of Egypt consists of desert areas, the two biggest being the Western Desert, a part of the Sahara Desert, and the Eastern Desert.
The Western Desert is home to several unique geological features, including sand dunes, rock formations, and oases.
Egypt’s struggle with population density becomes evident when contrasted with Switzerland, which boasts a similar land mass but sustains a population of merely 8.7 million.
In a bid to seek a solution to this formidable challenge Egypt is proposing converting the desert region in the Qattara Depression into a liveable environment.
The centrepiece of this groundbreaking initiative is the construction of a 34-mile canal costing £1.2 million.
Dubbed by many as Egypt’s ‘mini Suez Canal, ’ the construction will channel water from the Mediterranean Sea into the heart of the desert.
This engineering wonder will result in the flooding of the Qattara Depression, creating a sprawling 20,000-square-kilometre lake.
The ramifications of this transformation are projected to be profound.
The substantial evaporation of water from the newly formed lake is expected to increase humidity levels and rainfall in the surrounding areas significantly.
Previously barren lands could potentially become fertile, paving the way for agricultural advancements and the creation of new settlements along the waterfront.
The evaporation of water from the newly formed lake is expected to increase humidity levels and rainfall in the surrounding areas significantly.
The proposed project has received mixed reactions from experts and the public.
While some applaud Egypt’s innovative approach, others express concerns about such a huge project’s environmental impact and feasibility.
