What are two differences between the Karakum and Kyzylkum deserts in Central Asia?
Matthew Underwood
Updated on May 27, 2026
Beside this, what does Karakum mean?
The Karakum Desert, also spelled Kara-Kum and Gara-Gum (Turkmen: Garagum, pronounced [g???ˈg?m]; Russian: Караку´мы, tr. Karakumy, IPA: [k?r?ˈkum?]), is a desert in Central Asia. Its name means Black Sand in Turkic languages, in reference to the dark soil that lies beneath the sandy surface of much of the desert.
Similarly, is the Karakum Desert Hot or cold? The climate of the Turkmen Karakum is continental, with long, hot, dry summers and unpredictable but relatively warm winters.
Herein, what is a major desert found in Turkmenistan?
Karakum Desert
Why Kyzylkum is known as Red Sand?
The surrounding area is also popular for wild desert camping. Like Karakum is called Black sands, kyzylkum is called as Red sand in Turkic language as per its name. There is a Kyzylkum nature reserve in Bukhara Province which was founded in 1971. The area of the reserve amounts to 101,000 km2.