[1][2] Taukum is a sandy desert that is located in the southwestern part of the Balkhash-Alakol Basin.

It extends to the south of the lower course of the Ili River, from the southern end of Lake Balkhash to the Bozoi Plateau.

The Maizharylgan, part of the Chu-Ili Range rises to the west, and the Zhusandala Plain stretches to the south of the desert.

[3] The vegetation between sandy areas is made up of shrubs and grasses typical of arid zones, including sagebrush, saltwort, dzhuzgun, wormwood, saxaul and wheatgrass.

There is a narrow stretch of riparian forest by the banks of the Ili river, at the northern limit of the desert.