Nhim Bounlao, a 45-year-old village headman of the Mangkong tribe, did not complain about the desolate site.

The vein was deposited, he says, by mineral-laden water that welled up and turned this desolate site into an oasis.

Dozens of their relatives, some who came from as far away as Florida, gathered at the desolate site waiting for news.

It is not known what brought him to the area or why he chose such a comparatively desolate site.

The Government plans to move another 400,000 from shantytowns near the city's edge to five desolate sites farther outside Khartoum, the country's capital.

A small memorial made of marble slab was erected by Bower on the desolate site of his death.

A hot and desolate site, Mont Ventoux was last crossed by the Tour in 1994, but has not been the end of a daily stage since 1987.

"But the town has failed to look at other considerations, such as traffic, the environment and the desolate site chosen for this housing."

According to Jewish Law, one is obligated to grieve and rend one's garment upon visiting the Western Wall and seeing the desolate site of the Temple.

They arrived on 11 August, the once desolate site now including a depot house and several small boats.