Thar Desert, Desert region in northwestern India and eastern Pakistan.
Thar is a large desert landscape in northwestern India and eastern Pakistan, stretching between the Sutlej and Indus rivers, bordered by the Aravalli hills to the southeast and the Rann flats to the south. Dune fields alternate with flat valleys and salty depressions, interrupted by scattered acacias and thorny scrubland.
The desert formed several thousand years ago through climate shifts that redirected rivers and dried large grasslands. Caravan routes connected trading centers for centuries, allowing exchange between regions now divided by a political border.
Villages are built from mud brick, where families raise sheep and camels and process wool as they have for generations. Merchants trade handwoven textiles and pottery at local markets, while musicians perform with traditional instruments during festivals and weddings.
Heat reaches extreme levels in summer, so cooler months are better for visiting, while the monsoon brings only light rain. Orientation is difficult across wide dune fields, so local guides or experienced companions are advisable for longer trips away from settlements.
More than 140 bird species inhabit or pass through this region, including eagles, falcons, and rare gazelles that can survive in dry conditions. Lizards and snakes have adapted to the heat and burrow under the sand during the day to escape the sun.
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