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Thursday, November 24, 2011

Sossusvlei and The Dead Valley: Highest Dunes In the World


  Sossusvlei (means "the place fro water collecting") is the salt and clay plateau in the territory of the national park Namib Naukluft, Namibia. Only sometimes, when it rains, here appear the river Tsauchad and lakes that are usually dry.

Shadows of camel'-thorns save from the broiling sun. The temperature here can reach 50 °C.

Nara Melon is another interesting plant similar to thorns. Once in a year it bears fruit with the size of grapefruit. Birds, hyenas, jackals, mice, porcupine and even people can eat them.
Sand dunes are the place of attraction in Sossusvlei. Approximately 90% of them consist of quartz sand that was brought here by winds from the eastern part of Namibia.
Grains may be not only red, but dark or yellow.
About 800 years ago a huge dune blocked the river and the time stopped here. Dry air prevents from decomposition.
In the valley the temperature may grow to 75 °C.
The uniqueness of this valley is that its dunes are the highest in the world.

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