What is the legend of the Taklamakan Desert?
But there was an interesting legend about its origin. It was said that there was a Supernatural Being, who saw the hardship being faced by the people in this area and thought that he could help them by using the two magic objects in his possession namely the golden axe and the golden key.
What is an interesting fact about the Taklamakan Desert?
Interesting facts about the Taklamakan Desert Nicknamed, ‘The Sea of Death’, the Taklamakan is the second largest non-polar sand-shifting desert in the world. It is thought that the name ‘Taklamakan’ was derived from the Uighur language, in which it means ‘you can get in, but you can’t get out’.
What is the Taklamakan Desert also known as?
Takla Makan Desert, Chinese (Pinyin) Taklimakan Shamo or (Wade-Giles romanization) T’a-k’o-la-ma-kan Sha-mo, great desert of Central Asia and one of the largest sandy deserts in the world.
What is the Taklamakan known for?
These shifting sand dunes are so much a characteristic of the Taklamakan desert. It is for this reason that the Taklamakan desert is regarded as the world’s second-largest shifting sand desert. The sand dunes have been known to reach a height of 99.67 meters (109 yards).
Why is the Taklamakan desert nicknamed the Sea of Death?
The Taklamakan was much smaller than the Gobi, but it was given the nickname “Sea of Death” due to its extreme temperatures and poisonous snakes. The Gobi Desert, the fifth largest desert in the world, is cold with sharp temperature differences.
What does the name Taklimakan mean?
The name is probably an Uyghur borrowing of Arabic tark, “to leave alone/out/behind, relinquish, abandon” + makan, “place”. Another plausible explanation is that it is derived from Turki taqlar makan, which means “the place of ruins”. Popular accounts claim that Takla Makan means “go in and you will never come out”.
Why was the Taklamakan desert mainly known as the Sea of Death?
The Taklamakan was much smaller than the Gobi, but it was given the nickname “Sea of Death” due to its extreme temperatures and poisonous snakes.
How old is the Taklamakan desert?
It covers an area of 337,000 km2, and as much as 85% of it consists of shifting sand dunes. There are many different opinions about the age of the Taklimakan Desert, ranging from 3.5 million years ago (Ma) (1) to the middle Pleistocene (2).
When was the Taklamakan desert formed?
4.5 Million Years ago
Taklimakan Desert Formed 4.5 Million Years ago. The Taklimakan Desert located in northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the second largest desert on the globe, could have been came into being some 4.5 million years ago, according to recent research.
Why did the Silk Road avoid the Taklamakan desert?
The Taklamakan Desert has very little water, therefore it is hazardous to cross. Merchant caravans on the Silk Road would stop for relief at the thriving oasis towns.
Why is the Taklamakan desert called the sea of Death?
China, 2009. The ‘Sea of Death’ is the not so affectionate name that has been given by the Chinese people to the Taklamakan desert, a desert of such epic proportions and intimidating size, that its name in the local Uygur language translates as ‘You can go in, but you will never come out’.
Who discovered the Taklamakan Desert?
This desert was explored by several scientists such as Xuanzang, a monk in the 7th century, and by the archaeologist Aurel Stein in the 20th century . Atmospheric studies have shown that dust originating from the Taklamakan is blown over the Pacific, where it contributes to cloud formation over the Western United States.
What is the meaning of Takla Makan?
In Uigur language, Takla Makan means ‘you can get into it but can never get out’ and that is why the desert is also called ‘the Sea of Death’. The desert is very significant to the people in this region.
What can we learn from the Taklamakan Desert?
Excavations around the Taklamakan Desert have revealed fascinating clues about the people who have lived in and traversed through the desert. These efforts started in the early 20th century, with Swedish archeologist and explorer Sven Hedin attempting to cross through the desert.
What did Hedin find in the Taklamakan?
In 1900, Hedin once again visited the Taklamakan. In this expedition, he found the ruins of the ancient city Loulan, buried under the sand, which was the capital of the Loulan Kingdom, which dates back even further than Dandan Oilik. The mummy nicknamed the “Beauty of Loulan”.