Much of the Arabian Peninsula is considered desert--these areas include the Northern Nefud area, the Great Arabian Desert and the Dahna. In these areas, summer temperatures can reach up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, while winter temperatures can drop below freezing. Rainfall in desert regions tends to be between three and four inches a year, though droughts can last years. Additionally, winds in these desert regions can cause powerful wind and dust storms.
Several ranges of mountains also exist on the Arabian peninsula. These ranges parallel the Red Sea and are located in both the west and southeast ends of the peninsula. The mountain ranges increase in height toward the west, and closer to Yemen. Yemen is home to the highest mountains in the Arabian Peninsula, with the highest peak reaching 12,027 feet above sea level.
A large area of the peninsula is made up of a central plateau, the Nejd. This area is mainly made up of valleys and pastures, often used for farming and grazing. The plateau covers much of the peninsula and is about 2,500 feet above sea level. Additionally, large areas of the Arabian Peninsula are made up of marshy coastland, including coral reefs in the Red Sea.
The Arabian Peninsula is largely devoid of permanent lakes and rivers, as most of the areas waterways only exist during the rainy season. Some underground waterways occasionally come to the surface and form oases. This region has no thick forests and very little natural permanent architecture.
