Thar Desert (The Great Indian Desert), believed to be 4,000 to 10,000 years old, has an area of about 4,46,000 square kilometers. The Thar spreads over four states in India namely
Punjab,
Haryana,
Rajasthan, and
Gujarat. It also spreads over two states in Pakistan. The desert is bounded on the northwest by the
Sutlej River, on the east by the
Arâvalli Ranges, on the south by the salt marsh known as the
Rann of Kutch, and on the west by the Indus Valley.
Thar Desert is home to about 23 species of lizards and 25 kinds of snakes. Some endangered animals in other parts of India such as the
great Indian bustard, the black buck, the Indian gazelle, and the wild ass in the Rann of Kutch inhabit the desert. This desert region is one of the most inhospitable landscapes on earth.
India set off her first nuclear device here in 1974.
The desert's average rainfall is between 100mm and 500 mm (July - September).
Average temperature:
Summer: 24°- 26°C
Winter: 4° - 10°C
