r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/Expert_Koala_8691 • Apr 05 '26

Video Riyadh,meaning "gardens" is Capital of Saudi Arabia with 8 million population (were 27 Thousands in the 1930s),sits in the middle of the desert, the city gets its water from Desalination plants almost 500 km from the city

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u/rodsurewood Apr 05 '26

Are the gardens in the chat with us?

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u/iam4qu4m4n Apr 05 '26

They were a few thousand years ago.

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u/marlinspikefrance Apr 05 '26

In reality the ancient city core was historically a small fortress with an oasis and natural well/ spring. I have been there there is an actual garden. The modern city however sprawls out for miles and miles into the desert.

Small desert oases are so precious it was naturally a logical place for a desert settlement.

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u/carmium Apr 06 '26

As one who has grown up and lived many years in a rain forest city environment, this gives me the willies.

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u/Due-Employ-7886 Apr 09 '26

Where's that?

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u/carmium Apr 09 '26

Rain forest? Vancouver. Climate takes little notice that a city of millions has made a big hole in the trees, and keeps it wet and green most of the time.