The Takla Makan Desert

The Takla Makan Desert

The Takla Makan (Taklimakan) Desert is located in northwestern China. It covers about 125,000 square miles (323,700 square kilometers) in the Xinjian Region.

There few, if any, people living in this cold desert. It is almost completely covered by sandy areas or dunes and is surrounded by mountain ranges. There is very little plant life there. In fact, its name means "place from which there is no return." However, there are oases on the rim of the desert that are home to plants and animals.