Ramlat al-Sabʿatayn

desert, Arabia

Also known as: Al-Sabʿatayn Desert, Al-Sabʿatayn Dunes

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

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Ramlat al-Sabʿatayn is a sand desert located in north-central Yemen, south of the Rubʿ al-Khali. It covers an area of approximately 10,000 square miles (26,000 square km) and is characterized by transverse and seif dunes. This region lies on the gentle slope descending from the Al-Kawr mountains towards the Rubʿ al-Khali. The desert is part of the larger Arabian Desert, which is the largest uninterrupted sand desert in the world.123

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4 Britannica Sources

Arabian Desert - Physiography
Arabia - The Rubʿ al-Khali
Arabia - Yemen
Al-Harūj al-Aswad

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Arabia
Yemen
…interior the sand desert of Ramlat Al-Sabʿatayn lies on the slope descending from Al-Kawr to the Rubʿ al-Khali, which is gentle both here and going down from the jawl.
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…interior the sand desert of Ramlat Al-Sabʿatayn lies on the slope descending from Al-Kawr to the Rubʿ al-Khali, which is gentle both here and going down from the jawl.
Read More
Arabian Desert
Physiography
Al-Sabʿatayn Dunes in north-central Yemen, in the lowland south of the western border of the Rubʿ al-Khali, cover an area of about 60 by 150 miles (100 by 240 km), or roughly 10,000 square miles (26,000 square km). Al-Sabʿatayn comprises mainly transverse and seif dunes.
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Al-Sabʿatayn Dunes in north-central Yemen, in the lowland south of the western border of the Rubʿ al-Khali, cover an area of about 60 by 150 miles (100 by 240 km), or roughly 10,000 square miles (26,000 square km). Al-Sabʿatayn comprises mainly transverse and seif dunes.
Read More