Definition
Strongly saline soils.

Distribution
Solonchaks occur where evaporation exceeds rainfall and there is a seasonal or permanent water table close to the soil surface, or in coastal areas influenced by saline intrusions. Widespread but scattered distribution in Saharan Africa, East Africa, Namibia, Central Asia, Australia and South America. Estimates of their area vary between 260 and 340 million hectares. They are associated with Gleysols and Solonetz.