Ar-Rub' al-Khali (the Empty Quarter) Desert derives its name from its sparse population and minimal presence of animal and plant life because of its surrounding environmental conditions and circumstances. As the largest continuous sand desert in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it spans an estimated 430,000 km² within the Kingdom, accounting for 67.7 percent of the Kingdom's total sandy expanses. It is situated in the southeastern part of the Kingdom.
Ar-Rub' al-Khali Desert is located in the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula and covers a quarter of the total area of the Arabian Peninsula. This vast desert extends across four countries: the Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen, covering a total area of approximately 550,000 km².
Ar-Rub' al-Khali Desert harbors two natural reserves to protect the rare species of wildlife: the Shaybah Reserve, affiliated with Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco), covering an area of 637 km², and the Uruq Bani Mu'arid Reserve, located southwest of ar-Rub' al-Khali Desert, spanning an area of 12,787 km², and is managed by the National Center for Wildlife.
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