The Qattara Depression ( 'Munkhafad al-Qattarah') is a desert basin within the Libyan Desert of north-western Egypt. The Depression, at 133 m below sea level, contains the second lowest point in Africa (See also: Lake Asal). The Depression covers about 7,000 square miles (18,000 km²), and at its maximum is 80 km in length and 120 km in width. The bottom of the depression consists of a salt pan. Environment Within the Depression there are saline marshes under the northwestern and northern escarpment edges, and extensive playas (dry lake beds) that flood occasionally. The major oasis in the depression, Moghra oasis, is uninhabited and has a 4 km² brackish lake, including a Phragmites swamp. Salt marshes also occur and occupy approximately 300 km², although in some areas, wind blown sands are encroaching. About one-quarter (26 percent) of the 19,500 km² area is occupied by playas, which are composed of hard crust and sticky mud, and which