SOIL CHARACTERISTICS AND LANDFORMS RELATIONSHIP IN THE NORTHWESTERN COAST, EGYPT

The Northwestern coast of Egypt is one of the most promising areas for agricultural development. GIS techniques were used in production and analysis digital terrain model to assess the terrain surface characteristics and producing physiographic maps. Results indicated that, six landforms were distinguished in the study area. Landforms included; basin, depression, terraces (low and high), sand plain and pediment plain. Thirty one soil profiles were dug throughout the study area to represent soil physiographic units. Soils of this area could be categorized under two orders namely, Entisols and Aridisols, and under subgroups namely classified as Gypsic Aquisalids, Typic Calcigypsids, Lithic Haplogypsids, Typic Haplocalcids, Lithic Torripsamments and Typic Torripsamments. The main diagnostic horizons of Aridisols are salic, clacic and gypsic horizons while Entisols are less developed soils.