Cholistan Desert

Cholistan (Rohi)
Desert
Cholistan Desert
Country	Pakistan
Biome	Desert

The Cholistan Desert (Urdu: صحرائے چولِستان‎; Punjabi: صحرائے چولستان), also locally known as Rohi (روہی), sprawls 30 km (19 mi) from Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan and covers an area of 26,300 km² (10,200 sq mi). It adjoins the Thar Desert, extending over to Sindh and into India.

The word Cholistan is derived from the Turkic word chol, meaning desert. The people of Cholistan lead a semi-nomadic life, moving from one place to another in search of water and fodder for their animals. The dry bed of the Hakra River runs through the area, along which many settlements of the Indus Valley Civilization have been found.

The desert also hosts an annual Jeep rally, known as Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally. It is the biggest motor sports event in Pakistan.