Expert: Asha - 8/10/2008

Question
Hi Asha,

With regard to دشت كوير Dasht-e-Kavir, it’s translated as “Great Salt Desert”, but I can see no word for “salt” here? Is it really salt? Is it white in colour, or the same colour as sand?

Please could you give me precise definitions for “dasht” and “kavir”?

Best wishes,

Simon

Answer
Hi Simon,
"Dasht e Kavir" is the name of a desert in Iran. "Dasht" in Persian language means: any flat places, around rivers or between mountains or etc. and "Kavir" means: a flat place that is very hot and dry in climate, rains a little and has salty earth; desert. In Iran " Dasht e Kavir" is a place that is very hot and dry and no one lives there. Its earth is vert salty and some where is white in coulor.
Regards
Asha