Karakum Desert, Sandy desert in Central Asia, Turkmenistan.
The Karakum Desert spans 350,000 square kilometers across Turkmenistan, featuring wind-formed hollows and sand ridges reaching heights of 90 meters.
Throughout the centuries, ancient trade routes crossed this desert, connecting major settlements along the Silk Road between China and the Mediterranean region.
The desert's name originates from the Turkic words 'kara' meaning black and 'kum' meaning sand, reflecting the dark minerals beneath the surface.
Travelers require specialized vehicles and guides to navigate through the desert, as temperatures range from -5°C in winter to 45°C in summer.
The Darvaza gas crater within the desert has burned continuously since 1971, creating a 70-meter-wide hole of constant flames.
Location: Ahal Region
Location: Turkmenistan
Shares border with: Ustyurt Plateau, Amu Darya, Köpet Dag, Caspian Sea
GPS coordinates: 39.00000,60.00000
Latest update: July 8, 2025 08:53
Turkmenistan features diverse natural sites and monuments: the Darvaza crater with its perpetual fire, ancient sites of Merv and Nisa, ornate mausoleums, Kow-Ata underground lake, Yangykala canyon with colorful cliffs, the Kopet Dag mountains, and the Karakum desert. The capital Ashgabat showcases contemporary architecture in white marble.
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.
Arch of Neutrality
184.2 km
Ertuğrul Gazi Mosque
183.2 km
Ashgabat Stadium
186.9 km
Oguzhan Palace
184.4 km
Turkmenistan Tower
199.1 km
Turkmen Carpet Museum
184.1 km
Gunar Tepe
198.6 km
Jeitun
185.3 km
Independence Monument
188.2 km
Olympic Stadium
186.8 km
Yyldyz Hotel
187.9 km
Ruhyýet Palace
184.7 km
Russian Bazaar, Ashgabat
183.9 km
Bereketli Garagum Nature Reserve
87.1 km
Altyn Asyr Bazaar
173.8 km
World of Turkmenbashi Tales
185.8 km
Ashgabat Memorial Complex
188.6 km
Ashgabat (park)
183.4 km
Turkmenistan Cultural Centre
188.4 km
Lenin Monument
183.7 km
A.S. Pushkin
183.7 km
St. Alexander Nevsky Church, Ashgabat
185 km
Mollanepes Theatre
183.2 km
Bandian Complex
188.3 km
Magtymguly Musical and Drama Theater
183.8 km
Пам'ятник Тарасові Шевченку
183.8 km
Allameh Shahrestani Mausoleum
190.2 km
Fortalezas Partas de Nisa
194.6 kmReviews
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