Gorny Altai - Golden Mountains of Altai

Mountain Altai is an amazing and very beautiful region, about which many enthusiastic words have already been said and written. Golden Mountains - this is how Altai is translated from Turkic languages. Gorny Altai is geographically located in Northern Asia, in Siberia, and borders countries such as China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. It should be noted that Gorny Altai is also one of the cleanest regions of Russia; there are no industrial enterprises or railways here. It seems impossible to remain indifferent to the natural beauty of the Altai Mountains.

The nature of the Altai Mountains is not only diverse, it is extremely contrasting: taiga forests quickly give way to dry steppes, low hills and mountains to snow-capped peaks (the highest in Northern Asia (Siberia)), and rivers and lakes here change their color depending on the time of year .

Golden Mountains of Altai

In 1998, a significant event took place for the entire Altai region: the Altai Mountains with their natural attractions were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List under the name “ Altai ”. Why gold? G. Ramsted (Finnish linguist and diplomat, specialist in the historical linguistics of the Ural, Altai, Korean and Japanese languages) connected the origin of the name Altai (Southern Altai Altai Tuular, Kazakh Altai Taulari, Chinese 阿尔泰山脉, pinyin: Ā'ěrtài shānmài , Pall.: Aertai Shanmai, Mong. Altain nuruu) associated with the Turkic word altyn “gold”, “golden”.

The Altai Mountains represent a complex system of the highest ridges in Siberia, separated by deep river valleys and vast intramountain and intermountain basins.

The Altai Mountains mountain system is located where the borders of Russia, Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan meet. It is divided into Southern Altai (Southwestern), Southeastern Altai and Eastern Altai, Central Altai, Northern and Northeastern Altai, Northwestern Altai.

Origin story

The emergence of the mountain system has a long history associated with tectonic activity. In a presentation on the origin of the Altai Mountains, it is necessary to talk about the long-term processes that influenced the origin and formation of mountain objects. In the Proterozoic, Archean and first half of the Paleozoic era, Altai was a vast geosynclinal territory, which was located between the Siberian and Russian tectonic plates and was covered by an ancient sea.

The Paleozoic era is characterized by active tectonic movements that had a powerful impact on the ocean floor in the vertical and horizontal directions. The formation of the plains began as a result of the rise and fall of the earth's crust, when sea waters retreated and re-covered the land. A thickness of sedimentary rocks gradually filled the depressions, which contributed to the formation of a flat surface, which later became the Kulunda Lowland. The modern relief of the Altai plains was formed during the Quaternary period.

Mountain ranges have a more complex geological history and consist of a structure identical to the plains, but are distinguished by the absence of sedimentary deposits. The end of the Paleozoic era is characterized by violent tectonic activity, when the seabed was crushed and pushed to the surface by internal pressure. During the formation of the mountainous country, powerful volcanic activity occurred, and the lava emerging to the surface flooded the young folds.

During the Mesozoic era, young mountains were subjected to the destructive effects of air masses and the sun and gradually turned into elevated areas of a flat surface with single hills. Continuous tectonic processes contributed to the formation of deep faults and new uplifts.

The activity of volcanoes and powerful earthquakes formed vertical layers of earth layers that turned into the Altai Mountains. A message for grade 4 on the surrounding world tells about the changes that occurred during global cooling, when powerful glaciers appeared on the mountain slopes. These changes shaped the modern mountain landscape.

Geographical location and relief

Altai occupies the southeastern part of Western Siberia, where it is adjacent to the Western Sayan and Kuznetsk Alatau with the Mongolian Altai extending to the southeast, and the Kazakh small hills to the northwest. According to their geographical location, the mountains are divided into the following areas:

Oriental;
Southern;
Inner or Central Altai.

Southern and Eastern Altai form a wide arc, within which are the mountains of the Central Region. In the south, the region is distinguished by asymmetrical mountain ranges, where the southern side is flat and the northern side has steep cliffs. In the region of the Eastern Ranges there is a watershed of the system of large Siberian rivers - Abakan, Ob. The eastern landscape is characterized by significant elevation, rolling plains, domed peaks, and gentle slopes.

On the territory of Central Altai there are northern and southern mountain ranges, which gradually decrease in a westerly direction.

The southern ridge is distinguished by the highest peaks with powerful glaciers, the northern ridges go to the west and are lost among the plains. The inner region is characterized by contrasting heights and extensive depressions with a flat bottom.

Climatic conditions

The Altai region has a sharply continental climate, which is characterized by an uneven supply of heat and solar radiation . High summer temperatures are explained by the distance from the oceans. The winter period lasts more than six months, the average temperature varies from 18 to 20 degrees below zero. The ground is covered with a stable snow cover at the end of October.

Under the influence of continental air masses, sharp temperature changes are observed - dry, hot summers and cold winters. A brief description of the climate of the Altai Territory is reflected in the message about the Altai Mountains, class 4 and includes the impact of various natural complexes on it. Precipitation enters the region from the Atlantic Ocean, and a significant amount falls in the foothill areas. Arctic air contributes to cold snaps and frosts that can occur until the onset of summer.

Gorny Altai - UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Altai, Katunsky reserves and the Ukok plateau together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site called “Altai - Golden Mountains”. The total area of the protected zone is 16,178 square meters. km. It also includes such significant geographical objects as Mount Belukha and Lake Teletskoye. Within the protected zone there are some places where Pazyryk burial grounds were discovered.

The choice of these territories is due to the fact that they, in their entirety, most fully represent the alternation of alpine vegetation zones in Siberia: steppe, forest-steppe, mixed forests, subalpine and alpine belts. In addition, the importance of these areas for preserving populations of such rare animals as the snow leopard, Siberian ibex and Altai argali was taken into account.

Geologists believe that the Altai Mountains were formed during the Caledonian era, but experienced a secondary rise in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras. The beginning of the formation of the Altai Mountains dates back to the end of the Baikal folding, when the northeastern ridges began to emerge. There was still a sea in the southwest. In the Caledonian and Hercynian eras, the bottom of the sea was crushed into folds, internal forces squeezed them upward, forming a mountainous country.

Mountain-building movements were accompanied by strong volcanic eruptions that poured lava onto the surface of young folds. A high mountainous country began to rise. During the Mesozoic era, the Altai Mountains began to gradually collapse under the influence of the sun, wind and other natural forces.

Over millions of years, the former mountainous country turned into a plain with elevated areas. In the Cenozoic era, tectonic processes of Alpine mountain building reappeared in Altai.

There are three main types of relief in Altai: the surface of residual ancient peneplain, alpine-type glacial high-mountain relief and mid-mountain relief.

Gorny Altai - The Heart of Northern Asia

The Altai Mountains mountain range is located in Northern Asia. Here, in the place where the borders of China, Russia, Mongolia and Kazakhstan meet, where the Irtysh and Ob rivers originate, the great “golden mountains” were born.

The average relief height of the Altai Mountains ranges from 1500 to 1750 meters. At the same time, the highest point of the Altai Mountains, Mount Belukha, has a height of 4509 m. The region of the Altai Mountains is simply dotted with large and small lakes. Lakes are located both at the foot of the mountains and at altitude. For example, the rather large lake Uvs Nuur, located on the border with Mongolia, is located at an altitude of 720 meters above sea level. Uvs Nuur is the largest lake in Mongolia, has a water surface area of 3350 sq. km, is 84 km long, 79 km wide, and has a coastline length of 425 m. The average depth of Lake Uvs Nuur is 20 m, the volume of water is 3960 million cubic meters. Only a small part of the lake with a coastline of about 10 km is adjacent to the Russian border.

In the northwest of the Altai Mountains, the elevations are steep and high. Here is the highest mountain in Russia - the two-headed (three-headed?) Belukha. One peak of Mount Belukha is located at an altitude of 4506 meters, and the other at an altitude of 4440 meters.

In the southwest of the Altai Mountains lies the valley of the Katun River. The Katun, bending widely, descends from the Altai Mountains and flows into the Biya River. Here is one of the most beautiful places in Altai.

Not far from Katun there is Lake Kolyvan. The lake is surrounded by walls of rocks and mountains, surrounded by legends and known for its inhabitants - stone-cutting masters.

The Pazyryk culture is an archaeological culture of the Iron Age (VI-III centuries BC), classified as a “Scythian circle”, the main finds of which were made in the Altai Mountains.

The carriers of this culture lived in the adjacent territories of Kazakhstan, the Altai Republic and Mongolia.

Interesting Facts

Mount Belukha is the highest point in Siberia (4509 meters). According to legend, it was in the area of this mountain that the entrance to Belovodye, a land of calm and tranquility, was built.
There are no railways in the Altai Republic. Gorno-Altaisk is the only city in the republic.
Altai New Year - Dylgayak, pagan holiday
Archaeologists discovered the mummy of a young girl, who was given the name “Princess of Ukok.” Local residents believe that it was she who protected the region and did not allow natural disasters to manifest themselves.

Teletskoye Lake - Golden Lake of the Altai Mountains

And in the northeast of the Altai Mountains lies the huge Teletskoye Lake (Turkic: Altyn-Kel - “Golden Lake”), which is under the protection of UNESCO. Along the eastern shore of the lake there is a nature reserve whose rich nature amazes even an experienced tourist. There are rare species of animals here - the snow leopard, or, for example, the Altai argali.

Lake Teletskoye (Altyn-Kol) is located in the south of Western Siberia, in the Turochaksky and Ulagansky regions of the Altai Republic.

Lake Teletskoe (Telesskoe, Telezhskoe) received its name about 400 years ago from Russian pioneers, because the Turkic Teles tribes lived on its shores (there is a widespread misconception in the literature that the name comes from the word “Teleuts”).

From time immemorial, local peoples called it Altyn-Kol (Golden Lake). The Mongols call Lake Teletskoye Altan-Nuur; in Chinese geography it is known as Altai or Artai .

Lake Teletskoye is located in the northeast of the Altai Mountains, at the junction with the Western Sayan ridge, in a submeridionally oriented basin of predominantly glacial-tectonic origin.

The mirror of the lake is located at an absolute height of 436 m. From the north, the lake is limited by the low Torot ridge, and from the west and southwest by the Altyntu, Sumultinsky and Iolgo ridges with absolute heights of 2000-2500 m. In the east lie the Korbu and Abakansky ridges, from the south to the lake adjacent to the edge of the vast Chulyshman Highlands.

All these ridges have wide watershed steps - weakly dissected peneplains, rising hundreds of meters above the edge of the lake with steep, often sheer, ledges along which numerous waterfalls fall into Lake Teletskoye. Lake Teletskoye ranks fifth in Russia among the deepest lakes.

The length of Lake Teletskoye is 77.7 km, the average width of the lake is 2-3 km, the maximum width is up to 5 km. The northern part is elongated in the latitudinal direction; the southern one, having made a turn of almost 90 degrees, is in the meridional direction.

The area of Lake Teletskoye is relatively small - 223 km², however, due to its great depth (the average depth of the lake is 175 m, the maximum depth is 325 m - opposite the Korbu waterfall), it contains a huge amount (40 km³) of excellent fresh water, transparent to a depth of 12-15 meters. About 70 rivers and 150 temporary watercourses flow into the lake, with 70% of all water coming from the Chulyshman River, which flows from the south. By giving its waters to the Biya River (98% of the drainage), the lake largely supplies the Ob.

The shores of Lake Teletskoye are almost everywhere steep and steep, cut by gorges, and have picturesque bays. There are two large bays, Kamginsky and Kyginsky, which are natural spawning grounds for the fish living in the lake; in the north and south the lake ends in wide reaches.

Report-message Altai Territory 2nd, 3rd, 4th grade briefly

Altai Territory is located in the south of Western Siberia. It has existed for a little over 80 years; it was founded on September 28, 1937. The city of Barnaul is the capital of the region. There are 11 urban districts in the territory, but there are also rural settlements; there are 60 rural districts. 2,376,659 people of different nationalities live in the Altai Territory. Mostly Russians live there, according to statistical indicators there are about 92% of them, the remaining 8% are divided among themselves by Germans, Kazakhs, Armenians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Azerbaijanis, Tatars, as well as Mordovians. Most of them are female population than male.

The region is rich in rivers; 17,085 rivers flow there. The main and main rivers are: Ob, Alei, Charysh, Biya, Katun. The Ob is the leading river; it has a length of 493 km. In addition to rivers, it also provides water to lakes, of which there are also many. Altai has a diverse fauna, there are more than 320 species of birds, about 90 species of mammals. The territory of the region is represented by meadows, forests, tundras, steppes, and swamps. 21% of the entire territory of the forest edge.

The Altai Territory is also rich in mineral resources. They mine iron ore, brown and hard coal, chromium, titanium, manganese, nickel, gypsum and much more.

Altai is famous for tourism; non-traditional forms of tourism are actively used there. Mountaineering and skiing are in great demand, as there are a large number of mountains there. There are many archaeological and ethnological monuments on the territory of the region. Tourists have the opportunity to go on excursions to burial mounds and ground burial grounds, visit Stone Age cave sites, and also see copper and gold mines.

The Altai Territory has mineral waters and medicinal mud, on the basis of which the sanatorium and resort system was developed. The list of treatments is varied, everyone can find what they need. In sanatoriums you can cure diseases of the circulatory system, digestive organs, urinary tract, and endocrine system. Women can check their feminine health and cure gynecological diseases. Treatment occurs with the help of therapeutic mud and radon waters.

The main industry is mechanical engineering. Factories create crawler tractors and plows for working in the fields. As well as mainline freight cars, drilling rigs, steam boilers, diesel engines, forging and pressing machines, tires for cars and other equipment. The production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic products is a food industry. Work is carried out on the processing of grain, meat and dairy products.

Agricultural activities are developed at a high level. The Altai Territory traditionally produces milk and meat, flax, sugar beets, sunflowers, hops, and potatoes.

At the moment, the region is developing and since the natural landscape has not been preserved, the state plans to create reserves, parks, natural monuments and wildlife sanctuaries.

Ukok Plateau - Lost Place of Power

Ukok is a plateau in the extreme south of the Altai Republic, at the junction of the state borders of Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia and Russia (Most of the Ukok Plateau is a border zone). In general, Ukok is a relic of a highly elevated hilly-western and ridge-western leveling surface with prevailing absolute heights of 2200-2500 m, above which mountain ranges rise on average by 500-600 m.

The maximum absolute height of the mountain frame of the Ukok plateau is Mount Kuiten-Uul, formerly called Nairamdal. The height of Kuiten-Uul reaches 4374.0 m. Mount Kuiten-Uul is the second highest peak of the Altai Mountains after Belukha.

The morphological appearance of Ukok allows it to be classified as plateaus or highlands (according to the geographer A. N. Rudoy). In non-specialist and popular literature, the territory of Ukok is most often referred to as “plateau”.

Mongolian “ukheg” - literally “extended cabinet”, “box”; "massive mountain" or large hill with a flat top. According to the oral testimony of S. Umurzakov, “ukok” in Kyrgyz is used to designate flat-topped mountains, that is, plateaus.

The southern border of the Ukok plateau is drawn along the watershed lines of the Saylyugem (western end), Tabyn-Bogdo-Ola, and Southern Altai ridges. From the north, Ukok is limited by the southern foot of the South Chuya Range, along the thalweg of the river. Dzhazator to the mouth of the river valley. Koksu-Argutskaya (Samakha basin).

In the southern part of the plateau is the Ukok Nature Park.

The Ukok Plateau is a sacred place of power for Altai, Mongolian and Chinese Buddhists. There are over 150 archaeological monuments and burial mounds of various chronological periods there.

You can learn more about archaeological excavations in Altai from the articles of the famous Russian archaeologist, Doctor of Historical Sciences - Natalya Viktorovna Polosmak. Eg:

N.V. Polosmak “Vultures Guarding Gold” (Ak Alakha Mounds) https://kronk.spb.ru/library/polosmak-nv-1994-0.htm

HB Polosmak Life and death of the Pazyryk people of Ukok: https://kronk.spb.ru/library/polosmak-nv-2006.htm

In 1998, most of the territory of the Ukok Plateau was included in the honorary list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites; it receives special attention from scientists; industrial and economic activities are excluded from it.

History of discovery and research

The first scientific studies of the nature of A. belong to the 1st half. 18th century, when ore deposits were discovered in the west and the first copper smelters were built. Rus. migrants, mainly runaway factory and state peasants appeared in the north of A. in the middle. 18th century First Russian settlements, including Old Believers, began to emerge in the 1750s–70s, ch. arr. along the valleys Wed. river flows. In the 19th century the upper reaches of the rivers began to be populated, mainly Kazakh nomads from China and Kazakhstan. In 1826, K. F. Ledebour studied the flora of A. In 1828, placer gold deposits were discovered. In the 1st half. 19th century geological research was carried out by P. A. Chikhachev (1842), G. E. Shchurovsky (1844) and engineers of the mining department. In the 2nd half. 19th century Numerous people worked for A. expeditions, including Rus. geographical about, the Academy of Sciences, which included V. A. Obruchev, V. V. Sapozhnikov, who studied modern science for a number of years. glaciation and grows. cover A. Since the 1920s. A systematic study of the nature of A. was carried out: large-scale topographical. and geological filming, as well as the study of various natural resources in connection with the development of mining, hydropower and agriculture.

Mount Belukha - Sacred Mountain of Altai

Mount Belukha (Southern Alt. Uch-Sumer - Three-headed, Kadyn-Bazhy - Top of Katun, Kazakh Muztau Shyny) is the highest point of the Altai Mountains (4509 m), crowning the Katunsky ridge. Located on the territory of the Ust-Koksinsky district. The Katun River originates here. The name comes from the abundant snow that covers the mountain from the top to the very bottom.

Mount Belukha is represented by two peaks in the form of irregular pyramids - Eastern Belukha (4509 m) and Western Belukha (4435 m) , falling almost vertically to the north towards the Akkem glacier and gradually descending to the south, towards the Katunsky glacier.

The depression between the peaks, called the “Belukha Saddle” (4000 m) (Akkemskaya Wall pass (3B*)), also abruptly breaks off to the north to the Akkem glacier (the so-called Akkemskaya Wall) and more gently descends to the south to the Katun River.

The Belukha mountain range is composed of Middle and Upper Cambrian rocks. Many spurs of the massif are outcrops of sandstone and shale. Conglomerates are less common. Part of the massif is composed of typical flysch-like formations. The tectonic instability of the Belukha territory is evidenced by faults, cracks and thrusts of rocks. Steep, almost vertical sliding zones are characteristic of the northern slope of Belukha, especially from the side of the river valley. Akkem.

The Belukha area is located on the border of zones of 7-8 magnitude seismic activity. Microearthquakes are very common here. Their consequences are the breaking of the ice shell, avalanches and landslides. Since the Paleogene, the territory has experienced intense tectonic uplift, which continues to this day.

The Belukha rivers belong mainly to the Katun River basin, which flows from the southern slope of the Gebler glacier. The Kucherla, Akkem, and Idygem rivers also originate here. The Belaya Berel River drains the south-eastern slope and belongs to the Bukhtarma River basin. Water flows born near the Belukha glaciers form a special Altai type of river. Melt water from glaciers and snow takes part in feeding the rivers; rainfall is of little importance.

The Belukhinsky massif, like any mountainous country, is characterized by variegated vegetation. According to many researchers, the main part of the ridge belongs to the Katunsky high-mountain region, where a wide variety of forest and high-mountain formations are noted. The forest belt extends to heights of 2000 m, in the western and eastern up to 2200 m and is more developed on the northern macroslope.

Among the small mammals common in rocky placers and dwarf birch forests are: tundra shrew, red-gray, red-backed and bat-eared voles. At the sources of the Katun River, along its right bank, the Altai mouse mouse and zokor live. Lynx, snow leopard, and ungulates: Siberian mountain goat occasionally come here.

Birds are much more diverse. Hunting and commercial species: white and tundra partridges. Passerines inhabited by: Chough, Alpine Chough, Himalayan Accentor. The Siberian mountain finch and the exotic species, the juniper grosbeak, are much less common. Of the species included in the Red Book of the Altai Republic, the common lentil, golden eagle, and Altai snowcock live.

Types of landscapes

In Africa the altitudinal zonation of the landscapes is well defined. In the lower landscape zone there are steppes, in the north Ch. arr. meadow, with areas of forest-steppe. In the south, the steppes form a wide belt, rising to heights. 1000 m or more, and in some places they have the features of deserts, turning into semi-deserts. Common mountain-steppe animals include ground squirrels, voles, hamsters, and badgers; Birds include the steppe eagle, coccyx, and kestrel. The appearance of the steppes in the intermountain basins is similar. There are gazelle antelope, Mongolian marmot, manul cat, etc. In the steppe low mountains, leached and podzolized chernozems are developed, and in the depressions there are peculiar dry-steppe chestnut and dark chestnut soils. The insignificant forest-steppe zone is associated with exposure asymmetry of moisture and lighting when in the north. On the low mountain slopes larch grows (less commonly birch, aspen or pine), and on the southern slopes there are meadow steppes. The forest belt predominates in the mountains of A. Mountain taiga forests dominate here: dark coniferous, so-called. black taiga from fir, spruce and Siberian pine (or “cedar”), and light coniferous from larch and Scots pine. Among the inhabitants of mountain forests, taiga animals are typical - bear, lynx, weasel, squirrel, musk deer, deer, etc.; Birds include wood grouse, hazel grouse, nutcracker, woodpeckers, and crossbills. Black taiga on humus-rich, deep-podzolic or brown forest soils is widespread in western regions. foothills and northeast. Fir forests gravitate to the middle part of the mountain slopes, cedar taiga - to the upper parts. In dark coniferous forests, the herbaceous layer consists of large-grass and tall-grass species; the undergrowth is often absent or consists of ground cover (mosses, lichens), to which are added shrub and subshrub layers. Larch forests occupy significant spaces in the basin cf. river flow Katun, on the Terektinsky and Kuraisky ridges. Pine forests, often park-type, are predominantly common. along the valleys of the Katun and Chulyshman rivers. In light coniferous forests, the herb and shrub layer is diverse. Gray forest soils above 1700 m turn into forest-tundra and mountain-tundra. The upper limit of the forest in height ranges from 1600 to 2400 m; sparse taiga grows here with well-developed tall grass, shrub and grass-shrub layers. Higher up there are cedar and larch woodlands, alternating with thickets of bushes (erniks) and subalpine meadows. The dominant shrubs are round-leaved birch, willows, juniper, and Kuril tea. The tall grass meadows contain many valuable species: maral root, Lobel's hellebore, blueberry, bergenia, etc. Alpine meadows, common in the highlands of the west. and center. regions of A., alternate with patches of moss-lichen cover or rocky placers. Formations of large-grass, small-grass, grass-sedge and cobresia meadows are distinguished. The highlands also feature landscapes of subalpine meadows, mountain tundras, rocks, rocky outcrops, glaciers and eternal snow. The highlands are occupied by mountain tundras, which are not distinguished by a large variety of species. There are meadow, moss-lichen, shrub and rocky tundras. Above 3000 m there is a nival-glacial belt. Among the animals of the high mountain zone, the Altai pika, mountain goat, snow leopard, and reindeer are typical. A special type of intrazonal landscapes of Africa are represented by swamps, which are widespread almost everywhere on flat interfluves and plateaus.

Katunsky Biosphere Reserve

The Katunsky Biosphere Reserve is a state natural reserve that received biosphere status in January 2000.

The reserve was created on June 25, 1991. The reserve is located in the highlands of Central Altai. Area - 151,664 hectares. The central estate is located in the village of Ust-Koksa.

The absolute altitudes of the reserve range from 1300 to 3280 m above sea level. There are 135 lakes on the territory of the reserve with an area of 0.9 hectares or more.

The flora of the Katunsky Reserve includes about 700 species of higher vascular plants. The reserve contains 47 species of mammals, 120 species of birds, 3 species of reptiles, 8 species of fish.

Since January 2000, the territory adjacent to the Katunsky Nature Reserve has become the Belukha National Park .

The Katun River is the main waterway of the Altai Mountains. The name “Katun” comes from the Altai word “kadyn” (“mistress, mistress”), which in turn comes from the ancient Turkic word “katyn” (“river”). The Katun originates on the southern slope of the Katunsky ridge near the town of Belukha near the Gebler glacier. In the Katun basin there are more than 800 glaciers with a total area of 625 thousand km², so the glacial feeding of the Katun plays a significant role. The Katun has 254 tributaries with a total length of 708 km.

The flora of the Katunsky Reserve is extremely rich. There are more than 500 species of algae and lichens. Plants - 1,480 species. The forests of the Katunsky Reserve mainly consist of coniferous species: Siberian larch, Siberian cedar and Siberian fir. 34 species of mosses, fungi, lichens and vascular plants are listed in the Red Books of the Altai Republic and Russia. More than 200 endemic species, as well as rare steppe, forest, aquatic and alpine communities are located on the territory of the Altai Nature Reserve. This determines its outstanding role in the protection of flora and vegetation of Southern Siberia.

Of the mammals in the reserve, there are 11 species of insectivores, 7 chiropterans, 3 lagomorphs, 13 rodents, 16 species of predators (bear, lynx, otter, wolverine, sable, weasel and squirrel) and 8 species of artiodactyls (elk, red deer, mountain sheep, Siberian roe deer, Siberian ibex, reindeer and musk deer). The snow leopard, the snow leopard, is extremely rare in the reserve. This animal is listed in the Red Book of Russia. It lives mainly high in the mountains, above the forest line.

323 bird species have been recorded. Ptarmigan, capercaillie, quail, hazel grouse, sandpiper and others live here. The gray heron, black stork, whooper swan, little gull, pink starling, Altai snowcock, white-tailed eagle, golden eagle, peregrine falcon and osprey are listed in the Red Book.

There are 6 species of reptiles: viper, snakes, lizards and others. There is a great diversity of invertebrates - about 15 thousand species. The reservoirs of the reserve are home to 18 species of fish.

Report Altai Territory message

The Altai Territory is located in the southern territory of Western Siberia. It borders on some regions and republics. Most of the Altai Territory is located on the plain. Chernozems and mountain-podzolic soils predominate here. Some part is occupied by forests and cultivated lands. Textile and light industry are developing well in these parts. The woodworking industry, metallurgy, food and chemical industries have gained momentum. Agriculture decided to keep up with other areas. Livestock farming is well developed here, which is facilitated by the local steppes. People are engaged in breeding birds and plants; many keep apiaries and sell meat.

The Altai Territory is an amazingly beautiful place that has long attracted many tourists. And, really, there’s so much to see here. Starting with beautiful nature and ending with ancient buildings and architectural monuments. Many cities can accommodate tourists and there is plenty to see and do. The mountainous terrain and the beauty of the local rivers give it a certain atmosphere. The picturesque landscape is decorated with ancient ethnological monuments. There are a lot of different mounds and burial grounds here. In addition, lovers of excavations and old buildings will find the remains of ancient settlements here. The local mountains have become an excellent place for visiting climbers. Only in the Altai Territory can you combine skiing with excellent hunting. The Altai region is famous for its resorts and healing springs. Many people come to these parts to improve their health and take therapeutic mud baths.

The fauna and flora of the Altai Territory are quite diverse. Many representatives of both worlds are listed in the Red Book. A variety of insects, invertebrates and amphibians have found their home in these areas. There are many birds here that have adapted well and are accustomed to nesting. Much attention is paid to fur-bearing and ungulate animals. Due to human activity, the number of many animals has greatly decreased. There are few squirrels, bears, moose, otters and beavers left in nature. All this could lead to the disappearance of these animals in the Altai Territory. The vegetation is also rich, represented by shrubs, meadows, forests and steppes. Many lichens, vascular plants and mosses grow here. The Altai lands are rich in minerals. There are many deposits of coal, gold and ores. Colored stones and minerals, bauxite and healing mud are all the real riches found here.

Big Chulchinsky Waterfall - Uchar Waterfall

Bolshoi Chulchinsky Waterfall (Uchar Waterfall) is a cascading waterfall located on the Chulcha River, Altai Republic, Russia. It is the largest in the region, with a fall height of about 160 m.

The Uchar waterfall is located 11-12 kilometers (according to other sources - 7 kilometers) from the confluence of the Chulcha River into Chulyshman on the territory of the Altai State Nature Reserve and is one of the few objects of the reserve open to tourists. Inspectors of the reserve collect a recreational fee (in July 2013 it was 100 rubles) for the right to stay on the territory of the reserve.

The waterfall also has the name Uchar , which translated from Altai means Flying .

Despite the well-established name of a waterfall, in fact it is more of a waterfall - the fall of river water from a steep, but not sheer, ledge.

The Big Chulchinsky waterfall was allegedly formed less than two hundred years ago as a result of a grandiose collapse caused by another Altai earthquake; it was discovered only in the seventies of the last century, and has been a tourist attraction for less than ten years. It is called “the youngest masterpiece of nature of the Altai Mountains.”

Climate

The climate of A. is continental in the foothills, sharply continental in the interior and east. parts, which is determined by its position in temperate latitudes and a significant distance from the oceans. Winter is harsh and long (from 5 months in the foothills to 10 months in the highlands), which is facilitated by the influence of the Asian anticyclone. Wed. January temperatures range (in the foothills) from –15 to –20 °C; in the northeast slightly higher and on the shores of Lake Teletskoye. reaches –9.2 °C; in basins where temperature inversions are common, it decreases to –31.7 °C. The recorded minimum temperature is –60 °C (in the Chui steppe). Strong cooling is associated with the widespread development of permafrost rocks, the thickness of which in some places reaches several. hundreds of meters. Summer is relatively short (up to 4 months), but warm. Wed. July temperatures range from 22 °C (in the foothills) to 6 °C in the highlands; in the basins and south. in the foothills a rise to 35–40 °C or more is possible. For mid-mountain and low-mountain areas, values of 14–18 °C are typical. Frost-free period at high altitudes. up to 1000 m does not exceed 90 days, above 2000 m it is practically absent. Precipitation is associated with Ch. arr. with zap. moisture-carrying flows and are distributed extremely unevenly over the territory and over the seasons. Exposure asymmetry is clearly expressed, in which the windward slopes of the ridges, especially the western ones. the periphery receives significantly more precipitation than the interior basins. Thus, in the highlands of the Katunsky and South Chuysky ranges, up to 2000 mm of precipitation or more falls per year, while the Kurai and Chuyskaya steppes are among the driest places in Russia (up to 100 mm of precipitation per year). The lack of moisture in the basins is also explained by the drying effect of mountain-valley winds - hair dryers, especially in winter and autumn. In low and middle mountains it falls on Wed. 700–900 mm of precipitation per year. Maximum precipitation occurs in summer. Snow cover thickness in the north. and zap. areas and in the highlands reaches 60–90 cm or more, in basins - less than 10 cm, and in years with little snow, practically no stable cover is formed. In the mountains of A. it is known that St. 1500 glaciers total area. OK. 910 km2. They are most common in the Katunsky, South and North Chuysky ridges. The largest glaciers include Taldurinsky, Aktru (Akturu) and Maashey (Mashey), whose length is 7–12 km.

Korbu Waterfall

Korbu Waterfall is a waterfall on the B. Korbu River, which flows into Lake Teletskoye. The Altai name Korbu (more precisely, “Korbo”) translated into Russian means “shrub”. A natural monument since 1978. The waterfall is located at the foot of the Korbu ridge, a hundred meters from the shore. The Korbu waterfall, like the entire right bank of the lake, is located on the territory of the Altai State Nature Reserve. The only way to get to Korbu is by boat on the lake, and this excursion is very popular among tourists. Trips to the Corbo waterfall along the lake are accompanied by danger, as a low or high waterfall (Two winds of the opposite direction) may suddenly begin.

Rivers and lakes

Photo by A.I. Nagaev Altai. Katun River.

Photo by A.I. Nagaev Altai. Lake Teletskoe.

Almaty is dissected by a dense network (several tens of thousands) of mountain rivers, according to their feeding regime they belong to the Altai type: they feed on melted snow waters and summer rains; characterized by long spring floods. The Baltic rivers belong to the Ob basin; both of its sources—the Katun and the Biya—are located on the Ob River and are its main water arteries. Zap. the spurs are drained by the right tributaries of the river. Irtysh, among which the river stands out. Bukhtarma. Rivers north-east parts of A. (Abakan and others) flow into the river valley. Yenisei, southeast. The outskirts belong to the drainless region of the Center. Asia. The total number of lakes on A. St. 7000, with a total square. St. 1000 km2; the largest are Markakol and Lake Teletskoye. Many small (usually 1–3 km2 or less) ancient glacial lakes often fill picturesque deep trough valleys. In the north of Africa there are karst lakes.

Akkurum tract (Ak-Korum)

On the right bank of Chulyshman, a few kilometers below the mouth of the Chulchi River, there is the Akkurum (Ak-Korum) tract, whose name translates as “White Stones”. Usually “kurums” are called accumulations of large blocks and fragments of strong rocks formed as a result of weathering on gentle slopes and at their feet. A characteristic feature of kurums is their slow movement down the slope.

One can only be glad that this unusual natural phenomenon has survived to this day in all its glory. Unfortunately, these mushrooms continue to gradually deteriorate. They say that during the earthquakes in the Altai Mountains in 2003, several “hats” fell. Stone mushrooms in the Altai Mountains are found not only in the Karasu gorge, but this place is one of the most “mushroom” and relatively accessible. Landforms very similar to mushrooms are also found in the Crimea and the Urals, but their constituent rocks and the nature of their formation are somewhat different, and this gives originality to their shapes and appearance.

Geological structure and minerals

A. is located within the Paleozoic Altai-Sayan folded region of the Ural-Okhotsk mobile belt; is a complex folded system formed by Precambrian and Paleozoic strata, intensively dislocated during the Caledonian era of tectogenesis and the Hercynian era of tectogenesis. In post-Paleozoic times, folded mountain structures were destroyed and turned into a denudation plain (peneplain). According to geological features. structure and age will conclude. foldings are distinguished between the Caledonian Mountain Altai in the northwest (occupies about 4/5 of the entire territory) and the Hercynian Rudny Altai in the southwest and south. Anticlinoria of Gorny A. (Kholzunsko-Chuysky, Talitsky, etc.) Ch. arr. composed of flyschoid terrigenous series of the Upper Cambrian - Lower Ordovician, overlying Vendian-Lower Cambrian ophiolites, siliceous-shale formations and presumably Precambrian metamorphites, which in some places protrude to the surface. The superimposed depressions and grabens (the largest is Korgon) are filled with molasse of the Middle Ordovician – Lower Silurian and early Devonian. The deposits are intruded by Late Devonian granites. Within the Rudny A., which has a Caledonian foundation, rocks of the volcanoplutonic association of the Middle Devonian - Early Carboniferous and Late Paleozoic granitoids are widespread. In Oligocene-Quaternary times, Africa experienced an uplift associated with regional compression of the earth's crust caused by the convergence of the lithospheric microplates that bound it (Dzhungar, Tuva-Mongolian). The formation of the mountain structure took place according to the type of a large vault, which in the last stages of development was deformed by a system of discontinuities, resulting in the center. and south In some parts, a series of block morphostructures formed in the form of high ridges and depressions separating them. Instrumental observations record vertical movements of the earth's crust, the speed of which reaches several. cm per year. Uplifts occur unevenly and are accompanied by thrusts, which causes the asymmetry of the ridges. Africa is one of the most seismically active inland regions of the world. One of the largest seismic disasters (9–10 points) occurred in the high-mountainous Kosh-Agach region on September 27, 2003. Traces of ancient disasters (paleoseismic dislocations) are known. Basic The wealth of the subsoil of Azerbaijan consists of deposits of precious metals and pyrite lead-zinc-copper-barite ores (Korbalikhinskoye, Zyryanovskoye, etc.), forming polymetallic. belt of Rudny A. On Gorny A. there are deposits of mercury, gold, iron, tungsten-molybdenum ores. Deposits of ornamental stones and marble have long been known. There are thermal minerals. sources: Abakansky Arzhan, Belokurikhinsky and others.

Highest Peaks

The Altai mountain system is not considered the highest in the world, but on its territory there are peaks over 4 thousand meters high. The ridges were formed as a result of the last global cooling and acquired their modern shape. The highest peaks include the following:

Irbistu;
Ma'ashei-Bash;
Aktru;
Iiktu;
Belukha.

Irbista (3 thousand 967 m) is called the mountain of snow leopards. It is the highest point belonging to the South Chuya mountain range. There are no large forests here, and instead of them meadow grasses and dwarf birches grow. From its top there is a picturesque view of the endless Chuya steppe and the Katun mountain ranges.

Dzhaniiktu (3 thousand 922 m) - the peak is sacred for local peoples and is called the mountain of the “great spirit”. It has a majestic dome-shaped peak and stands out among other peaks located in the South Chuya mountain system.

Maashey-Bash (4 thousand 173 m) belongs to the North Chuya mountain range. On the mountain there is an ancient glacier of the same name, and the slopes are covered with stone placers. The mountain consists of siliceous and clayey shales, tuff, and lava deposits. The western side is flatter, while the southern side is a sharp cliff.

Aktru - the name of the mountain translated from the local language means “white house”, occupies the eastern regions of the Altai Republic in the North Chuysky massif. The glaciers covering its slopes feed a river with the same name as the peak, which flows into a larger water artery called Chuya. The height is 4 thousand 44 meters.

Iiktu or the sacred mountain (3 thousand 936 m) is known for the Great Taldurinsky glacier descending from its slopes, which is one of the largest in the region. The object is one of the most inaccessible for mountaineering.

Belukha is located on the border between Kazakhstan and Russia, and is the highest Siberian peak, reaching a height of 4 thousand 509 meters. Belukha has three peaks: eastern, western and Delaunay.

The geographical position of the mountain characterizes it as the central peak of the Eurasian continent with the same distance from the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans.

Vegetation and fauna

The Altai flora is located according to the soil configuration and has great diversity and contrast. Their brief description is included in the report on the diversity of flora growing in the Altai region. The western part of the region is occupied by steppes with a predominance of feather grass and fescue, and the coastal zones of the Ob River have meadow steppes, on the territory of which small-leaved trees grow.

Steppe and forest-steppe zones are intersected by pine forests with a specific plant community. The middle tier is represented by various shrubs; herbs grow on the soil surface, many of which are medicinal. Forests occupy approximately half of the region's area. Depending on moisture content and solar heat receipt, forests are divided into the following types:

black;
dark conifers;
larch

In the lowland areas, black forests grow, which are narrow strips of fir and aspen thickets, bird cherry bushes and tall grasses. In the northeast and west of the mountain range there are dark coniferous forest zones, which are included in the message on the topic of the Altai Mountains, grade 4. The forests consist of cedar, Siberian spruce, larch, pine, fir and are located at altitudes from 400 meters to 2 thousand 450 meters.

The most widespread and adapted to the harsh conditions of the highlands is Siberian larch. Pine species are more adapted to low mountains. In the southeastern regions of Altai, there are more than a hundred endemic species of flora that were included in the project for the protection and preservation of rare plants that arose as a result of the long evolution of the area.

The diversity of fauna was influenced by the geographical location of the region. The areas of steppes and forest-steppes are inhabited by various species of rodents, foxes, wolves, and hares. In lowland forests, the fauna is diverse and includes:

wolverines and brown bears;
roe deer and moose;
stoats, badgers and moles.

Almost all the fauna characteristic of lowland forests is represented in mountain forests. The high mountain regions are home to ungulate fauna, as well as a very beautiful and rare mammal - the snow leopard. The region has a wide variety of birds, some of which are endemic.

Gorny Altai - Golden Mountains of Altai - Cradle of Nature