Karakum Desert

The Karakum Desert ( ; Russian: Каракумы, IPA:), also spelt Qaraqum and Garagum (Turkmen:; lit.'Black Sand'), is the 12th largestdesert in the world, located in Central Asia. The name refers to the shale-rich sand beneath the surface. It occupies about 70 percent, or roughly 350,000 km (140,000 sq mi), of Turkmenistan.

The population is sparse, with an average of one person per 6.5 km (2.5 sq mi). Rainfall is also rare, ranging from 70 to 150 mm (3 to 6 in) per year.