Saudi Arabia literally imports camels and millions of tons of sand from Australia because the local desert resources are unsuitable for construction and their native camel populations are dwindling.

A closer look

Saudi Arabia literally imports camels and millions of tons of sand from Australia because the local desert resources are unsuitable for construction and their native camel populations are dwindling. You would assume that a nation covered in a massive, endless desert wouldn't need to shop around for more dirt, but wind-swept desert sand is too smooth to be used in making concrete. Therefore, they have to pay premium shipping rates to drag jagged beach sand all the way from the land down under just to build their dystopian skyscrapers. Adding insult to injury, they also buy Australian camels for meat, meaning the Middle East is essentially outsourcing its most stereotypical regional features. It is the ultimate flex of globalized trade, proving that with enough oil money, you can just buy a better version of the desert you already live in