The oasis of Siwa
Siwa is an oasis in Egypt’s Western Desert, far from the Nile. An oasis is a green spot in the dry desert, where underground water reaches the surface. Where the water bubbles up to the surface it is called a spring. This water comes from rain that fell long ago and soaked deep into the ground. Because Siwa has water, plants can grow in the middle of the desert. Date palms and olive trees grow there, and so do mint and basil. Egyptian acacia trees help to slow the wind and the sand in storms. Wild animals, birds, reptiles and insects live in and around Siwa, so the oasis is a habitat as well as a home for people. The people of Siwa sell dates and olives, cook with olive oil, and weave baskets from palm leaves. Their lives depend on the water, so they must use it with care.
| Plant | How people use it |
|---|---|
| date palm | dates to eat and sell; leaves to weave baskets |
| olive tree | olives and olive oil |
| mint and basil | flavour for food and drinks |
| Egyptian acacia | slows wind and sand |
Make a museum card about Siwa. Draw a small map of Egypt and mark where Siwa is. Draw three plants and write what people make from each. Write one sentence about why water matters to the oasis. Then explain to a partner why an oasis is a habitat. Springs can be deep, so stay with a grown-up near water.