Gezira (redirected from Al Jazirah (state))

Gezira

a region of the E central Sudan between the Blue and White Niles: site of a large-scale irrigation system

---

Gezira 

Al-Gazira, a territory in the Sudan between the White and Blue Nile rivers, in Blue Nile Province. It is a plain (altitude 300-500 m), gently sloping west toward the White Nile, in a region of desert-like savanna and semidesert. The most prevalent soil type is a heavy, dark-brown clay, badob (black cotton soil). The northern part of Gezira (Gezira proper) is the most important area of irrigated commercial agriculture in the country. The irrigation is largely by means of gravity flow from the Sennar Reservoir. The major commercial crop is long-fibered cotton, but sorghum (durra) and beans (lubia) are raised as well. For irrigation in southern Gezira, a dam is being built (1971) on the Blue Nile in the region of Roseires (Rusayris).