Sarykum


Sarykum or Sary-Kum is a large sand dune located in the Kumtorkalinsky District of Dagestan, Russian Federation. It is one of the largest sand dunes in Eurasia. The dune is located in a protected area, part of the Dagestan Nature Reserve, which was established on 9 January 1987.

Geography

The dune rises about northwest of Makhachkala. Sarykum is the highest dune of the Sarykumskye Barchany dune area, which extends below the northern slopes of the Narat-Tyube Range.
The Sarykum dune is very old. Measuring approximately in length, with an area of, the height of the highest summit may vary between and.

Flora

The Sarykum area is a refuge for desert flora in the region. There are up to 279 species of rare plants, including several which are endemic, such as Iris acutiloba, Shishkin's groundsel, Karakugen milkvetch, Astragalus karakugensis and Colchicum laetum.