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What are the major mountain regions of the Arabian Desert?
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Arabian Desert
The Arabian Desert, the largest desert in Asia, covering an area of about 900,000 square miles (2,300,000 square km).
The Arabian Desert features several significant mountain regions, primarily concentrated in the southwestern and southeastern corners of the Arabian Peninsula, as well as along the Red Sea margin.1
Major Mountain Regions
- Southwestern Highlands (Yemen): This region contains the highest elevations in the desert, including Mount Al-Nabī Shuʿayb, which reaches 12,030 feet (3,665 metres). Much of the Yemen Plateau sits above 7,000 feet (2,100 metres), and the area is characterized by rugged limestone masses and steep canyons.1
- Red Sea Margin: A great escarpment stretches more than 600 miles (1,000 km) from Yemen into Saudi Arabia. In the northwestern corner (Hejaz), Mount Al-Lawz rises to 8,464 feet (2,580 metres). Near Abhā in the Asir region, Mount Sawdāʾ marks a dramatic drop of about 9,000 feet toward the coast.1
- Oman Mountains (Al-Ḥajar): Located in the southeastern corner, the Al-Ḥajar range parallels the Gulf of Oman. It includes the Jabal Al-Akhḍar massif and reaches its greatest height at Mount Shams (9,957 feet/3,035 metres). These mountains were formed by the accumulation of oceanic crust on the Arabian plate.123