| Sarykum | |
| Other Name: | Сары-Кум / Sarigum |
| Type: | Sand dune |
| Map: | Russia Dagestan |
| Relief: | 1 |
| Location: | Kumtorkalinsky District, Dagestan, Russian Federation. |
| Coordinates: | 43.01°N 47.2369°W |
| Coordinates Ref: | [1] |
| Elevation M: | 262 |
| Elevation Ref: | [2] |
| Area: | 1175ha |
| Type: | --> |
Sarykum or Sary-Kum (Russian: Сары-Кум, Kumyk: Sari Hum, meaning "Yellow sand") is a large sand dune located in the Kumtorkalinsky District of Dagestan, Russian Federation.[3] 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.[4]
The dune rises about 18km (11miles) northwest of Makhachkala. Sarykum is the highest dune of the Sarykumskye Barchany (Russian: Сарыкумские барханы) dune area, which extends below the northern slopes of the Narat-Tyube Range (Russian: Нарат-Тюбе).[4]
The Sarykum dune is very old. Measuring approximately 3km (02miles) in length, with an area of 1175ha, the height of the highest summit may vary between and .[5]
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,[6] Shishkin's groundsel (Senecio schischkinii), Karakugen milkvetch,[7] Astragalus karakugensis and Colchicum laetum.[8]