Kyzylkum Desert (Turkish “red sand”) is a sand desert in Central Asia between the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers. Its area is 300 thousand km². The desert is bounded by the Aral Sea basin to the northwest, the Syr Darya to the northeast and the Amu Darya to the southwest. The desert has a series of enclosed hollows and isolated, dissected mountains. The Kyzylkum Mountains are unique because of the local gold deposits. Basically, the entire area of the desert is represented by sand massifs. The maximum height of the sand ridges reaches 75 metres.
The climate in the desert is continental. Summers are hot, with an average July temperature of 26°C to 29°C, while winter temperatures range from 0°C to -9°C in January. Rainfall is mainly in winter and spring. April to June and September to October are the best times to travel through the desert. During this time you can observe the local desert inhabitants here: Gazelles, black rams, foxes, lizards, jerboas, hares, ground squirrels, eagles, owls, etc. The animals of this desert get their water mainly from food and have adapted well to a life without waterholes.
In ancient times, the Great Silk Road passed through the Kyzylkum Desert. Thanks to it, cities like Samarkand, Khiva and Bukhara flourished. Many professions were employed there: Salesmen, interpreters, caravan guards and tax collectors. Strange as it may seem, there was a vibrant life in the middle of the desert.
At first glance, it seems absolutely impossible to live here, as the living conditions are very harsh and the soil is not suitable for agriculture. But for people who have grown up and lived in this desert, this land still seems beautiful and majestic.