Qyzylqum

Qyzylqum or Qizilqum (Kyzyl-Kum), desert in Central Asia, in southern Kazakhstan and northern Uzbekistan; its name is Turkic for “red sand.” Qyzylqum is located southeast of the Aral Sea, between the valleys of the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers, and is mostly covered with sand. Its highest point is 922 m (3,025 ft) above sea level. The sparse vegetation in the desert supports some sheep, camels, and horses. Gold is mined and natural gas is extracted there. Area, 260,000 sq km (100,000 sq mi).