A sandstorm is a phenomenon that is common in arid regions of the world. Sandstorms occur when strong winds whip up the sand and dirt from dry surfaces and carry them away to the atmosphere. Sandstorm can be so large that they are visible from space, and the dust travels across the world. The Sahara Desert and drylands around the Arabian peninsula are the man source of airborne dust. Every year millions of tons of dust are carried from the Sahara Desert to the Amazon basin. Sandstorms have been a danger to the inhabitants of North Africa and Arabia for centuries. Travelers in the desert may become lost or buried by the sand. The Bedouins, nomads who live in the desert regions, have learned how to cope with sandstorms. They were a large scarf on their head, which can be wrapped around their nose and mouth in case of dust, and their tents are windproof and protect those inside.