| Karakum (Desert) | |
|---|---|
 Sand dunes in the Karakum Desert | |
 The Karakum Desert by NASA World Wind | |
| Area | 350,000 km2 (140,000 sq mi) |
| Geography | |
| Country | Turkmenistan |
| State/Province | Central Asia |
| Coordinates | 40°30′N 60°00′E / 40.500°N 60.000°E |
The Karakum Desert (/ˈkærəkʌm/ KARR-ə-kum; Russian: Каракумы, IPA: [kərɐˈkumɨ]), also spelt Qaraqum and Garagum (Turkmen: [ɢɑɾɑˈʁʊm]; lit. 'Black Sand'), is a desert in Central Asia. The name refers to the shale-rich sand beneath the surface.[1] It occupies about 70 percent, or roughly 350,000 km2 (140,000 sq mi), of Turkmenistan.
The population is sparse, with an average of one person per 6.5 km2 (2.5 sq mi). Rainfall is also rare, ranging from 70 to 150 mm (3 to 6 in) per year.[2]
- ^ Scheffel, Richard L.; Wernet, Susan J., eds. (1980). Natural Wonders of the World. United States of America: Reader's Digest Association, Inc. pp. 199. ISBN 0-89577-087-3.
- ^ "Karakum Desert -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2008-02-22.