Takla Makan is considered one of the largest deserts in the world. She rightfully bears the title of natural attractions. Her landscapes are admired and at the same time afraid to be in this area. No wonder the people called this territory 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 the unusualness of 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 area of the mountains of the southern Tien Shan. On the north side, the desert is bounded by the 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 drop to a critically low point is unique in itself.
Relief
The territory 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 thousand km. The relief here is mostly flat, gradually 300-400 m lower to the north and east. In the west of the desert, sandstones rise to a height of more than 1,500 m. One of the largest hills is Mount Chong Thag. Its peak has a height of 1664 m. Sand dunes prevail in the southwest of the desert, and sand ridges occupy the northwest of Takla Makan. The so-called whale backs stretch sometimes up to 10 kilometers. On the outskirts of the desert, salt marshes predominate.
Climate
Of course, where the Takla-Makan desert is located largely characterizes the climate of the area. Fierce air masses dominate here, and the air is quite dry and hot. It is worth noting that this territory is influenced by a sharply continental climate. Atmospheric precipitation is negligible (about 50 mm per year). Only with the onset of late autumn there is already no such scorching heat, and at night the temperature drops, however, this is almost imperceptible. Sandstorms are not uncommon in the desert, a high dust content of the atmosphere is noted.
Inland waters
The rivers originating in the Kunlun mountains, after 100-250 km, disappear in the sand dunes. The exception is p. Khotan, formed at the confluence of the water flows of Karakash and Yurunkash. It flows through the territory where the Takla-Makan desert is located, crossing its vast expanses. She ends her journey into the Tarim River. The channel of this watercourse runs along the northwestern edge of the desert.
Representatives of flora and fauna
The fauna in the sands of Takla Makan is extremely poor. Herds of antelopes, hares, jerboas and voles can occasionally be found throughout the desert. In the floodplains of wild boars.
The Takla-Makan Desert (Eurasia) has underground rivers. However, they lie at a depth of more than 5 meters, so they are too inaccessible for plant nutrition. Most of the sandy oasis is completely devoid of vegetation. In those places where groundwater comes closest to the surface of the earth, tamarisk, saltpeter, and reed grow. Plants along the river banks include turanga and poplar, saxaul and camel thorn. Now everyone who wants an extreme vacation knows where the Takla Makan desert is located.