Kara-Kum

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Sandy desert occupying some 90% of the republic of Turkmenistan; area about 310,800 sq km/120,000 sq mi. The Kara-Kum lies to the east of the Caspian Sea, between the Aral Sea to the north and the Iranian border to the south. It is separated from the Kyzyl-Kum desert by the Amu Darya River. The desert is crossed by the Trans-Caspian railway and the Kara-Kum Canal, the largest irrigation canal in the world. The area has rich oil, gas, and sulphur deposits, all of which are being increasingly exploited. Air temperatures of over 50°C have been recorded here.

The sparse population of Turkmens who live in the Kara-Kum is engaged in sheep and camel herding. Water comes from over 6,000 wells and from the Kara-Kum Canal. The canal was started in 1954, and built in stages; construction work was continuing at the close of the 1990s. The canal is 1375 km/854 mi in length and takes water to Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea.

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