Egyptian deserts surrounded the ancient civilization of Egypt, and for many they were feared as places of danger and chaos. However, the Egyptians were also very dependent upon these desert regions and they played a crucial role in their civilization. In the simplest sense, Egyptian deserts provided Egypt with important economic resources and materials.
Today, Egypt is mainly made up of deserts that surround the green and lush Nile Valley and its vibrant, bustling cities. To the west of the Nile Valley is the inhospitable Libyan desert and to the east the Arabian and Sinai deserts. In ancient Egypt these deserts were foreign, alien places. Yet studies by researchers have shown that the ancient Egyptians had a long and complex history with these barren regions and that they play a key role in the development of their culture and society.
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