The Western Desert forms the western part of Egypt and includes the Siwa and Bahariya oases.
The region lies west of the Nile and occupies most of Egypt’s land area. It is part of the Sahara and contains broad gravel plains, limestone plateaus, sand seas, depressions, and isolated oases. These oases exist where underground water reaches the surface or can be accessed through wells.
Siwa Oasis is near Egypt’s border with Libya and is known for date palms, olive cultivation, and a distinctive local culture. Bahariya Oasis lies farther east and became especially famous after the discovery of dinosaur fossils, including the large predator Spinosaurus in the Bahariya Formation.
The Western Desert is often confused with the Eastern Desert, which lies between the Nile and Red Sea. The Nile is the simplest dividing reference: the Western Desert is west of it, while the Eastern Desert is east.