Taklamakan, Desert in Xinjiang Region, China.
The Taklamakan Desert stretches across 337,000 square kilometers between the Kunlun Mountains, Pamir Mountains, Tian Shan range, and Gobi Desert.
Ancient traders of the Silk Road depended on settlements near Kashgar, Miran, Yarkand, and Khotan to traverse this expansive sand terrain.
Archaeological discoveries in the 1980s revealed preserved mummies with European features, indicating migrations between China and Europe 4,000 years ago.
The Southern Xinjiang Railway and multiple highways encircle the desert, connecting major urban centers through established transportation networks.
In 2008, the entire desert received a 3.8-centimeter snow cover, marking the first documented snowfall in this traditionally arid region.
GPS coordinates: 38.90000,82.20000
Latest update: May 27, 2025 20:17
The world's largest desert expanses range from the poles to subtropical areas. From Antarctica with its 14 million square kilometers to the Mojave plains, these regions are characterized by extreme conditions and low rainfall. Polar deserts dominate in area, followed by hot deserts like the Sahara and the Arabian Desert. Each region features specific geological and climatic characteristics, creating distinct landscapes.
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