Qyzylqum (original) (raw)

Qyzylqum.

**Qyzylqum.**The Qyzilqum (Uzbek: red sand; also called Kyzil Kum) is one of the largestdeserts in the world. It is located at the country between two riversAmu Darya andSirdarya, inKazakhstan, Uzbekistan and partiallyTurkmenistan. It covers about 298,000 sq km (approximately 115,000 sq mi), making it the 11th largest desert in the world.

The territory is mainly the plain (height up to 300 � (about 984 feet) abovesea level) with a number of the secluded lowlands and highlands (Sultanuizdag, Bukantau). Most of the area bespread with the sand-dunes (barkhans); in northwest the large areas are covered with takirs (clay coatings); there are also some oases. There areagricultural settlements along therivers andoases. The local population use large spaces of Kyzil Kum as a pasture for livestock (mostlysheep, camels anddromedaries).