Editing Cholistan Desert (section)

== Geology ==
Cholistan was formed during the [[Pleistocene]] period.<ref name=":8" /> Geologically, Cholistan is divided into the Greater Cholistan and Lesser Cholistan, which are roughly divided by the dry bed of the ancient [[Hakra River]].<ref name=":5" /> Greater Cholistan is a mostly sandy area in the south and west part of the desert up to the border with India, and covers an area of {{convert|13600|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":6" /> Sand dunes in this area reach over 100 meters in height.<ref name=":6" /> Soil in the region is also highly saline.<ref name=":6" /> Lesser Cholistan is an arid and slightly less sandy region approximately {{convert|12370|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} in area which extends north and east from the old Hakra river bed, historically up to the banks of the [[Sutlej|Sutlej River]].<ref name=":6" />

[[Soil quality]] is generally poor with little organic matter in the Greater Cholistan, and compacted alluvial clays in the Lesser Cholistan.<ref name=":5" /> A canal system built during the British era led to irrigation of the northern part of Lesser Cholistan.<ref name=":6" />