Oral
Oral is a lively city nestled on the banks of the Ural River. Like Atyrau city, it marks the geographical divide between Europe and Asia.
Karynzharyk is an 85km long and 15km wide depression in the Ustyurt Nature Reserve. The nearest village is Ak-Kuduk, which is situated 25km to the east, on the edge of the Karynzharyk Sands. Most of the depression is 40–50m below sea level. The Western Chink Ustyurt overlooks the eastside, reaching heights of 200–340m above sea level. Flanking its most northerly extent are the 15-kilometre-long Karaman Mountains and its Mount Karamaya high point (c. 219m).
Five prominent freestanding peaks rising out of the salt flats mark the southernmost end of the depression. The trio sitting furthest out, nicknamed the ‘Three Brothers’, rise to 116m above sea level. In rare moments of precipitation, the basin fills with rainwater, turning Karynzharyk’s arid terrain into a surreal, sea-like vista as seen in this Mangystau aerial video.
Southernmost Part of Karynzharyk Depression (Qarynjaryq Oipaty/Впадина Карынжарык): 42.5942, 54.2588
Northernmost Part of Karynzharyk Depression: 43.1586, 54.8333
Ak-Kuduk (Aqqūdyq/Аккудук): 42.9713, 54.0969
Karynzharyk Sands (Qarynjaryq Qūmdary/Пески Карынжарык): 42.9157, 54.2112
Mount Karamaya (Qaramaia Tauy/Гора Карамая): 43.1748, 54.7531
Three Brothers (Üş Ağaiyndy/Три Брата) c. 116m High Point: 42.6541, 54.2556
1:500k Soviet map of the Ustyurt. The left edge of the map shows Karynzharyk and its salt flats.
1:200k Soviet maps of the Karynzharyk Depression’s central to northern section, and its southernmost end.
Oral is a lively city nestled on the banks of the Ural River. Like Atyrau city, it marks the geographical divide between Europe and Asia.
If you’re interested in obscure, remotely situated deserts, the Buzachi Peninsula has five small, sandy ones*: the Kyzylkum, Uvahkum, Shulshagylkum, Zhilimshik and Egizlak. The Kyzylkum
At the northern edge of the Ryn Desert is Kamysh-Samara. The 60km x 100km plain was once home to at least a dozen lakes, with