THIS beautiful place is home to many natural treasures, including Egypt's biggest iron mines. Minerals such as basalt, alabaster, manganese and dolomite are found in the mines there, while it boasts Pharaonic, Roman, Coptic and Islamic monuments. El-Waha el-Bahariya or Bahariya (Northern) Oasis, with its treasures and natural beauty, is just like Heaven on Earth. The most attractive part of this Oasis is el-Bawiti, its largest village and its administrative centre. Bahariya Oasis is excellent for therapeutic and safari tourism. But the Government is not doing enough to promote this wonderful part of the country with its awesome deserts, especially as tourism is one of Egypt's most important sources of income, according to its natives. Water treasures Although the Bahariya Oasis is in the desert, it has 360 natural springs, whose waters are good for treating complaints like rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis and skin disorders. In el-Bawiti the spring known as Ain Segam has cured many people, as have Ba'ar Hakima, Bashmo and Ain el-Tharw. Some of the springs are hot, others cold. Monuments to visit. There are also the ruins of a temple dedicated to Alexander the Great in Bahariya Oasis. It was the second temple to be built in the Western Desert. Some Egyptologists believe that the Greek conqueror passed through Bahariya while returning from the oracle of Ammon at Siwa Oasis. There is also the Graeco- Roman necropolis, known as the Valley of the Golden Mummies, discovered by Zahi Hawass, the Secretary-General of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, in 2000. Hawass and his Egyptian team have found around 250 mummies in this huge burial site. The great temple in the Qasr district This temple dates back to King Isis, Ahmos II and el- Sawy. There is also Karet Helwa graveyard, where the first King of the Oasis, Amenhotob Hawa, is buried, dating back to the 18th Dynasty. Nature in the Oasis The evenings bring simple pleasures, including delicious meals cooked by the Bedouin on open fires, songs from shared cultures and a little primitive dancing. This might be accompanied by a real drum or a plastic bucket disguised as a drum, as well as much hand clapping. The Black and White Deserts Bahariya Oasis is surrounded by the Black Desert. It's the iron that gives it its unique colour. Meanwhile, tourists call the White Desert 'The Egyptian Switzerland'. This beautiful area is about 100km long by 25km wide. To get the most out of your safari, it's best to hire professional drivers.
