Taukum

Taukum (Kazakh: Тауқұм) is a desert in the Almaty Region, Kazakhstan.^[1][2]

Taukum Тауқұм
Desert
View of the desert
Taukum Location in Kazakhstan
Coordinates: 44°59′N 75°01′E
Location	Kazakhstan
Part of	Balkhash-Alakol Basin
Area
• Total	ca 10,000 km2 (3,900 sq mi)
Dimensions
• Length	240 kilometers (150 mi)
• Width	40 kilometers (25 mi) to 60 kilometers (37 mi)

Geography

Taukum is a sandy desert that is located in the southwestern part of the Balkhash-Alakol Basin. It extends to the south of the lower course of the Ili River, from the southern end of Lake Balkhash to the Bozoi Plateau. The Maizharylgan, part of the Chu-Ili Range rises to the west, and the Zhusandala Plain stretches to the south of the desert. Lake Itishpes lies at the northwestern end. The height of the sand dunes is between 10 meters (33 ft) and 15 meters (49 ft).^[3]

Flora

The vegetation between sandy areas is made up of shrubs and grasses typical of arid zones, including sagebrush, saltwort, dzhuzgun, wormwood, saxaul and wheatgrass. There is a narrow stretch of riparian forest by the banks of the Ili river, at the northern limit of the desert.^[3][4]

See also

• Geography of Kazakhstan