Geography
The Khotan oasis’ geographical position is the main contributing factor to its success and wealth. The oasis of Khotan is situated in one of the most arid and desolate climates on the earth, the Taklimakan Desert. However Khotan is located at the far south of the Taklimakan at the foot of the outer hills of the Kun-lun range, extending along the range for around 40 miles. At all times irrigated from the Yurung-kàsh and Kara-kàsh rivers, which water the Basin. These two rivers produce vast quantities of water which made habitation possible in an otherwise arid climate. The position next to the mountain not only provided irrigation for crops but it also increased the fertility of the land as the rivers reduce the gradient and deposited their sediment, creating a more fertile soil. This therefore increased the productivity of the agricultural industry which has made Khotan famous for its cereal crops and fruits. Therefore Khotan’s lifeline was its vicinity to the Kun-lun mountain range and without this Khotan would not have become one of the largest and most successful oasis cities along the Silk Roads.
Read more about this topic: Kingdom Of Khotan
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