The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, is a large, arid region in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent that forms a natural boundary between India and Pakistan.
It is the world’s 17th largest desert, and the world’s 9th largest subtropical desert.About 85% of the Thar Desert is in India, and the remaining part in Pakistan.In India, it covers about 320,000 km2 (120,000 sq mi), of which 90% is in Rajasthan and extends into Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana.
The Thar Desert is the most densely populated desert in the world, with a population density of 83 people per km2. About 40% of the total population of Rajasthan live in the Thar Desert.
The main occupation of the people is agriculture and animal husbandry. Jodhpur, the largest city in the region, lies in the scrub forest zone. Bikaner and Jaisalmer are located in the desert proper.
The Indian epics describe this region as Lavanasagara (Salt-ocean).
