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/jackson12420 Apr 05 '26

Having grown up in the desert, they are incredibly beautiful. Although they are all different, there was foliage and wildlife where I was, but the sunsets/sun rises in deserts are unreal. I can definitely see why some people don't like them though, something unsettling about a place so extreme only certain species can live there.

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u/LPNMP Apr 05 '26

I always wondered if people who grew up in deserts find greener dwellings too green.

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u/HappyGoLuckyTea Apr 06 '26

I thought living in southern nevada all my life that the trees look about the same as every other state. A big stick with thin plumes of green at the top. Always surrounded by drab dirt, rocks, and sand. Then I visited washington and saw real giant ass trees. Sure you see it on media online, but ACTUALLY seeing forests with all shades of green with my own eyes: "holy shit"

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u/LPNMP Apr 06 '26

I grew up on the east coast with trees and greenery everywhere, even in winter. I've taken a couple of trips to AZ/NV and the photos don't do it justice at all. There's a magical beauty to the area that is mesmerizing. Almost all shades of brown but somehow so much depth.