Where is the Takla-Makan desert located? Acquaintance with the unique desert

Takla-Makan is considered one of the largest deserts of the world. It rightfully bears the title of an attraction of natural origin. Her landscapes are admired and at the same time they are afraid to be in this area. Not for nothing in the people of this territory was called the Desert of Death. In 2008, a unique fact was recorded: for 11 days there was heavy snow, which covered the sands with a thick layer. What is unusual about this phenomenon will become clear after you figure out where the Takla-Makan desert is located. So, it lies in the west of China in the vicinity of the mountains of the southern Tien Shan. From the northern side, the desert is bounded by spurs of the mountain system, in the south it is bordered by the ancient peaks of Kunlun. In the west Takla-Makan extends to the borders of the Kashgar oasis, and its eastern part passes into the deserts of Lake Lob-Nor. There is always unbearable heat here, and the fact that the temperature in this region could have dropped to a critically low level is unique in itself.

Relief

The area where the Takla-Makan desert is located is truly enormous. It occupies about 300 thousand square meters. Km, running from west to east for more than 1,000 km. The relief here is mostly flat, gradually 300-400 m, falling to the north and east. Sandstones rise to the height of more than 1500 m in the west of the desert. One of the greatest elevations is Mount Chongtag. Its top has a height of 1664 m. Sand dunes predominate in the southwest of the desert, and the northwest of Takla-Makana is covered with ridges of sand. So-called whale backs stretch sometimes up to 10 kilometers. Solonchaks predominate on the outskirts of the desert.

Climate

Of course, where the Takla-Makan desert is located, in many respects characterizes the climate of this area. Fierce air masses prevail here, and the air is dry and hot enough. It is worth noting that this territory is under the influence of sharply continental climate. Atmospheric precipitation falls negligible amount (about 50 mm per year). Only with the onset of late autumn there is already no such scorching heat, and at night the temperature decreases, however, this is almost imperceptible. Sand deserts are frequent sandstorms, there is a high dust content of the atmosphere.

Inland waters

The rivers, originating in the Kunlun Mountains, disappear after 100-250 km in the sand dunes. The exception is p. Khotan, formed at the confluence of the Karakash and Yurunkash water flows. It flows through the territory where the Takla-Makan desert lies, crossing its vast expanses. She ends her way, falling into the Tarim River. The channel of this watercourse runs along the north-western outskirts of the desert.

Representatives of flora and fauna

The animal world in the Takla-Makana sands is extremely poor. Throughout the desert, you can occasionally find herds of antelopes, hares, jerboas and voles. Wild boars are found in the river floodplains .

Desert Takla-Makan (Eurasia) has underground rivers. However, they lie at a depth of more than 5 meters, so it is too difficult to feed plants. Most of the sandy oasis is completely devoid of vegetation. In those places where groundwaters most closely approach the surface of the earth, tamarisk, saltpeter, reed grows. Along the river banks you can find such plants as turanga and poplar, saxaul and camel thorn. Now everyone who wants extreme rest, know where the Takla-Makan desert is located.