The Arabian Desert is a vast desert wilderness in Western Asia, stretching from Yemen to the Persian Gulf and Oman to Jordan. At its center lies the Rub' al Khali, or 'Empty Quarter,' the world's largest continuous body of sand. The desert is one of the most arid places on Earth, with little rainfall and extreme temperature swings. It is remarkably rich in natural resources, containing the world's largest known oil reserves. Culturally, the desert is the ancestral home of the Bedouin people, whose nomadic lifestyle was adapted to the harsh environment. The Arabian horse and the dromedary camel are iconic animals of the region. Despite the aridity, the desert contains several oases, which have been centers of trade and agriculture for thousands of years.