Karakum Desert

The Karakum Desert, also spelled Kara-Kum and Gara-Gum (Turkmen: Garagum, pronounced [ɢɑɾɑˈɢʊm], from gara ("black") and gum ("sand"); Russian: Караку́мы, tr. Karakumy, IPA: [kərɐˈkumɨ]), is a desert in Central Asia. The name refers to the shale-rich sand beneath the surface. It occupies about 70 percent, or roughly 350,000 km2 (140,000 sq mi), of Turkmenistan.

For the desert in Kazakhstan, see Aral Karakum.
Not to be confused with Karakorum or Karakoram.
Karakum (Desert)
Sand dunes in the desert, in Turkmenistan
The Karakum Desert by NASA World Wind
Area350,000 km2 (140,000 sq mi)
Geography
CountryTurkmenistan
State/ProvinceCentral Asia
Coordinates40°30′N 60°00′E 

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.

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