Altai mountains brief information. Altai mountains

The majestic Altai mountains are a complex system of the highest ranges in Siberia, separated by picturesque river valleys and deep hollows. The most beautiful peaks attract travelers and scientists, photographers and pilgrims, many mountains are local shrines.

How the mountains formed

The Altai mountain system was formed over 400 million years ago, and was restored after almost complete destruction much later. According to modern theory, the mountain-fold system was formed when oceanic uplifts collided with a chain of ancient volcanic islands.

Mountain building continues now - in 2003, a serious earthquake was observed in Altai (at the epicenter up to 9 points) and subsequent tremors. The southern mountains of Gorny Altai "grow" every year by almost 2 cm. According to geologists, the source of events is the collision of the Eurasian continent and India, in the south-east of the republic traces of old powerful earthquakes were found.

The location of the Altai mountain ranges

The Altai mountains are located in the center of Asia and in the south of Siberia, their location is a complex system. The powerful Tabyn-Bogdo-Ola complex (“five divine mountains”) on the border of China, Mongolia and Russia is called the “heart” of Altai. The northern slopes of the mountain knot are the mountains of Russia, Altai; The peak of the knot with a height of 4373 m is in Mongolia.

Ridges fan out from the "heart" of the mountainous country: to the west - the Southern Altai, to the southeast - the mighty Mongolian Altai, to the northeast - the little snow and less high Sailugem. To the north of the mountain junction, there are as many as three branches of the ridges, separated by the Chuya basin and the Ukok plateau, - the frame of the republic's mountain system.

One branch, with an almost sub-latitudinal strike, includes the South Chuisky, Katunsky and Kholzunsky ridge. The second branch runs to the north and includes the Severo-Chuisky, Baschelaksky and Terektinsky ridge. The third branch, elongated almost along the meridian, is formed by the Kurai, Aigulak and Sumultinsky ridge. The fan-shaped pattern of the Altai mountains on the map is complicated from the east by the Shapshalsky ridge and the Chulyshman highlands.

The absolute height of the Altai mountain system decreases from the southeast to the northwest. The highest mountain in Altai, Belukha, is crowned by the Katunsky ridge. The steepness of the northwestern slopes is significant, the southern and southwestern slopes are gentle.

Better than mountains - only mountains

One mention of Altai generates a strong association - striking views of snow-capped peaks stretching to the horizon. Below, the poet Vysotsky believed, not to find even a small share of such beauties as in the mountains. "And we descend from the conquered peaks, leaving our heart in the mountains" - repeat the words from the song of a thousand travelers, fearlessly storming the mountains.

"Pearl Belukha" - the highest mountain in Altai

The highest point of Altai (4506 m), the two-headed Belukha Mountain, is located in the Ust-Koksky District. There are countless legends about the "crown of the Altai king", the bewitching beauty and mystery of the shining peak is sung by the philosopher Roerich, writers and artists. From June to mid-September, pilgrims and tourists stubbornly strive to the mountain along the paths of the Uimon Valley, the foot of the shrine is visited by participants on snowmobile tours even in winter.

The first ascent of the impregnable mountain in 1914 was made by the explorers of the region - the Tronov brothers. The ascent is still difficult - the climate here is harsh, cold piercing winds blow, the rocks are covered with thin ice almost all year round. Belukha is surrounded on all sides by glaciers. The most difficult ascent is from the north, from the Akkem wall, which is between the eastern and western summits.

Tourists who have conquered the peak of the Katunsky ridge experience amazing impressions - "the best revelations in life" according to the happy extreme lovers. Geologist Pyotr Chikhachev wrote that at the top he trembled with delight - in the surrounding beauty he saw a living God "with all his might." Such is the amazing Altai - the maximum height of the queen-mountain and the emotions here give rise to the most violent.

Mountain Altyn-Tuu

The altitude of the Altai mountain system is different in different regions, there are many other high mountains - Delone (4260 m), Aktru (4044 m), Ak-oyuk (3860 m) and others. There are also special sacred mountains that do not differ in height. On the Altyn-Tuu mountain, the Altaians believe, the first man on Earth was created by the Supreme Spirits.

The sacred mountain is located near Lake Teletskoye, its height is 2298 m. The steep slopes of the mountain are almost inaccessible in places. The rocks are partly covered with bushes, some are bare and steep.

Tourists climb from the southern coast of the lake and from the Greater Chile River. The challenging climb is rewarded with breathtaking panoramas from the top of the Golden Mountain.

"Permanent sentry" - Mount Bobyrgan

Tourists who travel along the Chuysky tract begin acquaintance with Gorny Altai from visiting the mountain. The top of the Seminsky ridge (1009 m) with good visibility is already noticeable from Biysk, and on the border of the Altai Republic, in the outlines of the mountain, you can see the head of a warrior-sentry. Many legends are associated with the peak; the mountain is revered by the Altai people as sacred.

Some of the phenomena observed in the area of ​​the mountain seem anomalous and attract ufologists. The curiosity of tourists grows here immensely, and in the wonders of natural architecture, visitors imagine a ghost town or an ancient fortress. The ascent usually lasts about two hours and is not particularly difficult.

The visibility of the summit tells the locals about the weather. If the peak is visible clearly - be good weather; if visibility is obstructed by haze, clouds - to be bad weather.

Another sacred mountain of the Altai Territory is popular with tourists - Sinyukha (1210 m), which looks blue because of the dense forest.

Mount Komsomolskaya

The uniqueness of the spur of the Iolgo ridge within the boundaries of Gorno-Altaysk is due to the amazing richness of vegetation. The northern slope of the mountain, facing the city, is occupied by a wonderful birch forest, there are also firs and pines, larch and spruce trees.

Shrubs surprise with their variety: there is elderberry, currant, mountain ash, bird cherry, acacia and many others. It is difficult to even list the types of herbs found here, including medicinal ones.

"Golden Mountains of Altai"

This name, initiated by UNESCO, appeared in 1998 in the list of World Heritage Sites. A section of the Altai mountains on the territory of the republic is protected by the state, these are reserves - Katunsky and Altaysky, as well as the Ukok plateau.

The uniqueness of the territory is in the presence of different zones of alpine vegetation and the rarest animals. Among them are snow leopards, Siberian ibex, Altai argali.

The World Conservation Union expresses concern - so far it has not been possible to stop poaching here. The thirst for entertainment and profit for some human individuals turns out to be more valuable than common sense and respect for nature.

Environmentalists are concerned about plans to build gas pipelines and a high-speed highway to China through protected areas.

Conclusion

The tourist attraction of Gorny Altai is due not only to the magnificent mountain peaks. Wild picturesque valleys and mysterious plateaus, spectacular waterfalls on lush rivers and fabulous lakes - the untold wealth of the Siberian treasury and at the same time tourist attractions.

"Cradle of the Universe" - Altai has a rich history. Countless rock paintings, ancient caves and human sites have long turned the republic into a large museum.

A fascinating journey through the Mountainous region and the conquest of snow-capped peaks will remain in your memory for a long time. Having visited the mountains once, you will again respond to their call!

General information

The relief of the Altai Mountains is diverse, here are distinguished: sections of ancient plains, alpine-type glacial high-mountainous relief, mountains of medium (1800-2000 meters) and low altitude (500-600 meters), deep hollows. The ridges are cut by numerous snow-fed rivers. Rough streams of water flow into the famous for their beauty lakes, lying in picturesque valleys. In the Altai mountains, the Biya and Katun rivers arise, which, merging, form the Ob, one of the deepest and most extended rivers in Russia.

The highest ridge of the Altai Mountains is the Katunsky. With its snowy slopes, sharp peaks, picturesque lakes and glaciers, this part of the Altai mountain system is similar to the Alps.

Altai mountains are famous for caves, of which there are more than 300, especially in the basin of the Katun, Anui and Charysh rivers. Gorny Altai is the land of waterfalls, the highest of which is the 60-meter high Tekelu, which flows into the Akkem River.

The weather in the Altai Mountains is unpredictable, so you should not rely on forecasts of weather forecasters. While in the mountains on a warm, clear day, you can witness the sudden birth of a cloud and visit its very thick.

The climate of the region is sharply continental with cold winters and warm summers. The weather in any particular location depends on its altitude and prevailing winds. In Gorny Altai, there is both the warmest place in Siberia and its cold pole. The climate is formed under the influence of arctic masses, warm and humid winds of the Atlantic and hot air of Central Asia. Winter in the region lasts from 3 to 5 months, one of the coldest places is the Chui Valley, where the temperature drops to -32 °. It is much warmer in the southern regions of the Altai Mountains - for example, in the area of ​​Lake Teletskoye, winter pleases with a comfortable ten degrees of frost. In spring and autumn, cold snaps and frosts are frequent, continuing until mid-June in the highlands. The warmest month is July with an average temperature of +14 to + 16 °; in the highlands - from +5 to + 8 °, here the temperature drops by 0.6 ° with an increase in altitude for every 100 meters.

In summer, daylight hours in the region lasts 17 hours, which is more than in Yalta or Sochi.

Gorny Altai is famous for its rich flora and fauna. Almost all types of vegetation in Asia, Kazakhstan and the European part of Russia grow in a relatively small area of ​​the region. Taiga, steppe, mountain tundra and alpine meadows are located on Altai mountains of different heights.

Each natural zone is inhabited by animals adapted to certain environmental conditions. Some of them - bears, red deer, sable - wander from one area to another. Elk, musk deer, roe deer, ground squirrel, fox, wolverine, squirrel, ermine are also found in Gorny Altai. In the highlands, the rarest animal on Earth lives - the irbis (snow leopard), as well as the Siberian goat and the red wolf.

In the Altai Mountains, endemic species that live only here have formed: mountain turkey, tundra partridge, Altai sarych. Other birds of the region are gray goose, mallard duck, gray crane, snipe, eagle owl, nutcracker.

sights

Lake Teletskoye is a true gem in the Altai lakes placer. The purest waters, framed by mountains and age-old cedars, alpine meadows and magnificent waterfalls, remoteness from civilization are the sources of the charm of the famous lake.

Teletskoe lake

The Ukok Plateau is a protected natural area, a place of concentration of burial mounds of different chronological eras. Local residents believe that the plateau is the threshold of the firmament, “the end of everything,” a special sacred place, to which they trust the bodies of the dead. In many kurgans cooled by permafrost, perfectly preserved household items of great historical value were found. The unique nature of the plateau and the surrounding Altai Mountains inspired the artist Nicholas Roerich to create world-famous paintings. In the village of Verkhniy Uimon there is a house-museum of the painter, where you can see his paintings and purchase copies of them.

Ukok plateau

Chemal is a picturesque area of ​​Gorny Altai, where the Katun carries its waters past the rocky mountains mesmerizing with its inaccessibility.

The Katun River near the village of Chemal

Karakol lakes - 7 reservoirs of amazing beauty, stretching in a chain along the western slope of the Iolgo ridge. To admire the lakes at an altitude of 2000 meters, you will have to use horses or a specially equipped vehicle.

Karakol lakes

Lower Shavlinskoe Lake is surrounded by the Dream, Fairy Tale and Krasavitsa mountains in the vicinity of the Chibit village. Pagan idols are installed on the shore of the reservoir.

Lower Shavlinskoe lake

The discovery of the Denisova Cave, located in the valley of the Anui River, Soloneshsky District, has become a notable event in world archeology. The remains of a man 42,000 years old were found in the cave. In addition, the oldest cultural layer inhabited by people who lived in the cave 282,000 years ago was discovered here. At the site of the ancient man's site, more than 80,000 various stone household items, iron products of the XIV century, bronze knives of later periods were found. The cave is accessible to anyone with any level of physical fitness. Before the eyes of a tourist who was not too lazy to get here, a unique so-called "puff cake" appears, consisting of more than 20 cultural layers formed in different eras of human existence.

Altai cave, one of the deepest and longest in Siberia and Altai, goes down 240 meters, and its length is 2540 meters. This natural landmark, protected as a geological natural monument, is located in the village of Cheremshanka in the Altai Territory. The Altai cave is actively visited by amateur tourists and professional speleologists.

Mount Belukha, part of the Katunsky ridge and revered by the locals as sacred, is the highest point in Siberia and Altai, towering 4509 meters above the picturesque valleys of the Ukok plateau. Belukha is located at an equidistant distance from the world's four oceans and is the geographical center of Eurasia. Many who have visited Belukha or near it admit that they felt the enlightenment of consciousness and the incredible energy of these places. A special atmosphere reigns here, setting you in a philosophical mood. And this is not self-hypnosis, many scientists argue that powerful bioenergetic fields do exist around the mountain. Buddhists believe that somewhere at the top of the mountain there is an entrance to the fabulous land of Shambhala, which only a select few can see. The sources of the main Altai river Katun originate in the Belukha glaciers.

Chapel of Archangel Michael at the foot of Mount Belukha

Chuisky tract is the Novosibirsk-Tashanta motorway, which ends at the borders of Mongolia. Having driven along it, you can get to know the Altai Mountains better and see all their diversity.

Chuisky tract

Other sights of the Altai Mountains, worthy of attention:

• Lake Aya;
• Multinskie lakes;
• Kucherlinsky lakes;
• Lake Manzherok;
• Rock paintings of primitive people in the Kalbak-Tash tract;
• Scythian burial mounds of Pazyryk;
• Mountain Altyn-Tu;
• Patmos Island on Chemal with the Church of St. John the Evangelist;
• Tsarsky Kurgan - burial over 2000 years old;
• Chulyshman river valley with numerous waterfalls.

This is only a small part of those natural and man-made wonders that the Altai mountains are rich in.

Why go

Adherents of sports tourism have known and have been visiting Gorny Altai for several decades. Altai mountain rivers are ideal for rafting on them. Cavers descend into mysterious caves, climbers storm mountain peaks, paragliders soar over picturesque landscapes, nature has prepared countless places of stunning beauty for hikers. Equestrian tourism is well developed in Altai, which makes it possible to visit the most inaccessible corners of the region, where you can see argali rams, lakes of unreal beauty, hear the inimitable and heartbreaking cries of marals during the rut.

Fishing in Gorny Altai traditionally attracts many tourists not only from neighboring regions, but also from the European part of Russia, as well as from abroad. The waters of local rivers are rich in valuable fish - grayling, taimen, whitefish, rainbow trout, burbot, pike and other species.

People go to Altai to get medical treatment and rest in one of the most ecologically clean places on Earth. The seismically active region is rich in healing thermal springs, the local radon waters are especially appreciated. Belokurikha is the most popular Altai balneological resort, famous for its unique microclimate, modern sanatorium and medical facilities and excellent opportunities for active recreation. Vacationers get an unforgettable pleasure walking along the terrenkur along the turbulent Belokurikha river, rushing through the forest gorge. At the service of tourists is a chair-lift that lifts the guests of the resort to Mount Tserkovka (height 815 meters), from the top of which a stunning view of the Altai expanses opens.

One of the visiting cards of the Altai Mountains is marals, on the treatment of antlers of which a whole medical industry is based. Antlers are young, non-ossified deer antlers, cut off only from males in June-July. Male individuals provide a unique medicinal product saturated with amino acids and microelements, a recognized elixir of health and longevity. To obtain valuable raw materials, reindeer are bred in captivity - the animals live on the vast territory of the maral, where they are protected from predators and poachers. Only once a year are red deer disturbed in order to cut off their horns. On the basis of many maralniks, medical bases have been created, where vacationers strengthen their health among the mountains and forests, enjoying peace and quiet in the bosom of Altai nature.

In winter, the Altai ski resorts - Manzherok, Belokurikha, Turquoise Katun, Seminsky pass - await visitors.

Recently, the tourist infrastructure in the mountainous regions of Altai has been rapidly developing: modern hotels and recreation centers are being built, new excursion routes are being developed, new roads are being laid and old ones are being improved. The number of agencies offering various tours to Altai has grown significantly.

Information for tourists

It is not difficult to find suitable accommodation in the tourist zones of the Altai Mountains - there are tourist centers of different levels of comfort, hotels and boarding houses everywhere. Many locals offer private accommodation for a very reasonable fee.

Communication in Gorny Altai is available in all major tourist destinations. It will be useful to have with you SIM cards of two or three operators, tk. in some zones, communication is better with Beeline, and in others - with Megafon.

Going to Altai even at the height of summer, be sure to stock up on warm clothes - in mountainous areas the night temperature can drop to + 5 °.

Popular souvenirs from Gorny Altai are honey, antlers, pine nuts, teas from alpine herbs, original wooden products of local residents, amulets, national musical instruments and household items.

In places that are sacred to the Altaians, one should not indulge in fun, shout and litter. Do not indulge your vanity - do not leave the ugly inscriptions "There was ..." on the man-made and natural sights of Altai. Local residents expect from tourists a respectful attitude towards their land, ancestors and fauna.

How to get there

The most convenient way to get to Altai from Novosibirsk is by train or bus to Barnaul or Biysk. There are several daily flights from these cities to Gorno-Altaysk and other settlements in the region. If you are traveling by car, then from Novosibirsk you should go along the M-52 highway (Chuisky tract).

Altai, view of the Belukha massif

In the southeast of Western Siberia, Gorny Altai is located with adjacent Gornaya Shoria and Kuznetsk Alatau from the north. Part of the Altai Mountains enter the territory of Kazakhstan, part is located on the territory of Mongolia and China. Altai is a complex system of ridges up to 4500 m high. The highest point of these mountains - the mountain - has two peaks: Eastern (4506 m) and Western (4460 m). The entire massif is composed of solid crystalline schists and gneisses. In ancient times, about 300 million years ago, in the Paleozoic era, the first uplift of the Altai mountainous country took place. Over time, the mountains collapsed and turned almost into a plain. About 25 million years ago, in many places around the globe, the earth's crust began to move again. Many old destroyed mountains began to rise again. Altai has also become younger. During the movement, the earth's crust cracked, some of its sections rose, others fell. This is how the Altai mountain system with its high ridges and deep gorges was formed. The tectonic process continues today. The latest evidence of this was the strongest in recent decades, the Chuy earthquake of 7.3 magnitude, which occurred on September 27, 2003. By a lucky coincidence, there were no casualties, but almost 2,000 residential buildings were destroyed, and serious damage was received.
As soon as the mountains rose, snow began to accumulate on their tops. These snow tops are called squirrels. Huge accumulations of snow in the high ranges of Altai gave rise to glaciers that feed numerous mountain rivers that carry their waters into the longest river in Russia - the Ob.

Altai is a mountainous country

From a plane flying over Altai below, endless mountains are visible, reminiscent of a petrified sea. Low and dark from the forests growing on them in the north, to the south they become higher and higher.

Altai Territory is cut by a dense network of rivers and streams. All rivers in the region belong to the Ob basin. The largest of them are Biya, Katun, Argut, Chuya, Chumysh, Alei. Most of the mountain rivers are unsuitable for navigation due to their rough currents and rapids. Many of them have waterfalls. At the end of October, the rivers freeze and stand frozen in ice until the end of April. There are few fish in them.
There are many lakes in the Altai mountains, the largest - Teletskoye and Markakol (Kazakhstan) - are located in depressions of tectonic origin. Mountain lakes are covered with a layer of ice up to 100 cm thick, which often persists until the end of June.
The Altai valleys are covered with coniferous forests (larch, cedar, pine, fir) with an admixture of deciduous species. Berry bushes (raspberries, currants, honeysuckle, sea buckthorn) and medicinal plants (golden and maral root) grow in abundance. The fauna is rich and varied: here you can find a bear, lynx, fox, sable, musk deer, red deer and many other animals. In Altai, there are many species of birds: capercaillie, hazel grouse, black grouse, nutcracker, etc. The alpine zone has its own, special fauna: Altai pika, mountain goat, snow leopard, yak and other animals can be found here. Alpine steppes are located in the intermontane basins: Kuraiskaya, Chuiskaya and others. On their fertile lands, various crops are grown and livestock grazed.
The region is not deprived of natural resources. For example, its hydropower potential is estimated at 80 billion kWh. Of the mineral resources, deposits of polymetallic ores, gold, mercury, antimony, tungsten, manganese, iron, marble, ornamental stones, and brown coal are especially important. And the picturesque views of the Teletskoye and Markakol lakes and the Katun river valley, the beauty of the high-mountainous landscapes attract thousands of tourists and climbers to these places. To preserve the nature of Altai, two reserves have been created: Altai and Markakolsky.

Numbers

The average height of the Altai Mountains: 2500 m.

Highest peak: Belukha mountain (Eastern peak, 4506 m).

The length of the mountain range: more than 2000 km.

Climate and weather

The climate of Gorny Altai is much cooler and more humid than on the neighboring plains of the south of Western Siberia; in the highlands it becomes very cold and humid.

In summer, the air temperature in the mountains is from + 10 ° C to + 18 ° C, in winter -28 ° C.

USEFUL INFORMATION

■ 32 glaciers descend from Mount Belukha alone. They give rise to the Katun River, the source of the great Ob.
■ The first conquest of the Eastern summit of Mount Belukha almost ended in tragedy. In 1914, the Tronov brothers climbed the mountain, but due to carelessness they fell off on a steep ice slope. Fortunately, both climbers got stuck in the loose snow and remained intact.
■ Altai glaciers were first studied by Professor V.V. Sapozhnikov, who from 1895 to 1911 made nine trips across the Russian and Mongolian Altai.
■ There are about 1,500 glaciers in the Altai highlands. The area of ​​glaciation exceeds 900 km 2.
■ In the depressions of the Altai Mountains, due to air stagnation, very low winter (up to -35 ° C) and rather high summer (up to + 25 ° C) temperatures with little precipitation are observed.

■ Maral breeding state farms have been established in the mountain taiga zone. Maral horns, antlers, are used to make medicines.

Altai Is a beautiful region famous for its nature. The majestic mountains of this region attract tourists from all over the world. Altai mountains - the highest mountains in Siberia separated by mountain rivers and pits. The mountain system passes through four countries: Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. On the territory of the Russian Federation, the ridges are located mainly in the Altai Republic and in the Altai Territory.

The magnificent Altai Mountains were formed about 500 million years ago. But due to climate change, earthquakes and ice ages, about 60 million years ago, the mountains collapsed and acquired a completely different look that we can observe today. The Altai mountains are heterogeneous in their relief. Three main groups are distinguished here: plains, mid-mountainous and glacial high-mountainous relief. 2000 meters is the average height of the mountains. The highest point of Altai is Mount Belukha, its height is 4506 meters.

The Altai Mountains are unique, and since 1998 have been on the UNESKO World Heritage List.

Belukha

Belukha is the highest point of Altai, recognized as the geographical center of Eurasia - it is equidistant from three oceans. This mountain was never just a mountain, but always personified a sacred place. The ancient Altai people Kadyn-Bazhi believed that a terrible demon lives in the mountain, which will kill everyone who tries to climb this mountain. This explains the regular avalanches and rockfalls caused by the earthquake.

In contrast, Buddhists believe that it is on the top of Mount Belukha that the entrance to the mythical land of the sages Shambhala is hidden.

For the first time, they tried to climb the top of Belukha back in the 19th century, but this turned out to be impossible due to constant rockfalls and avalanches. The first ever ascent to the mountain took place only in 1914 by Mikhail and Boris Tronov.

Ukok Plateau

The Ukok Plateau is considered to be the junction of the borders of four states - Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. Incredible nature, thousands of small rivers and reservoirs attract tourists from all over the world to visit this place. This plateau is famous for a large number of cultural monuments. There were found rock paintings, mounds, stone statues. "Princess Ukok" is the main find in this area. This is the mummy of a 25-year-old woman, found here in 1993. The tattoos on her skin, as well as horses, gold, and household items buried with her, give the right to claim that this was a very noble woman. Archaeologists, historians, art critics still continue to study this incredibly picturesque place.

Altai mountains brief information.

In the extreme southeast of Western Siberia, between 48 ° and 53 ° N. NS. and 82 ° -90 ° E. the vast mountain system of Altai stretches. The maximum absolute heights of the Siberian Altai range from 350 to 4500 m, and the increase in the heights of mountain ranges and the bottom of river valleys occurs in the southeast direction. In the northeast, Altai adjoins the Kuznetsk Alatau and Western Sayan; to the south-east of it the Mongolian Altai departs, and from the south-west the hilly steppe areas of the Kazakh Upland with absolute heights of 300-500 m (with gradual transitions to Altai) adjoin. In the north and north-west, Altai is quite sharply bounded by a steep erosional-tectonic scarp up to 300-500 m high, which can be traced approximately at 52 ° N. NS. Further to the southwest, the Altai border becomes less distinct; its continuation here are low granite manes, which extend far into the steppes of Kazakhstan.

Altai mountain ranges are fan-shaped. The largest alpine knot here is the Tabyn-Bogdo-Ola mountain range bordering Mongolia, located in the upper reaches of the river. Argut, a tributary of the r. Katun. Its main peak - Kuytun - reaches 4358 m in height and bears powerful glaciation. From it, the Mongolian Altai departs to the southeast of the USSR, in the latitudinal direction the system of ridges of the Southern Altai goes to the west, and the border mountain range stretches to the east - Sailyugem (with elevations up to 4029 m), which begins the Eastern Altai. Between these mountain systems of the Southern and Eastern Altai, inside the wide-open arc formed by them, the Central, or Inner Altai is located, the continuation of which is the ridges of the northwestern part of Altai.

Southern Altai consists of ridges (in the direction from east to west): Tarbagatai, Sarym-Sakty and Narymsky, from which several mountain ranges are separated to the south and southwest, going towards the Zaisan depression (the Kurchumsky, Azu ridges, etc.) , with low dissection and high difficult passes. Their slopes are asymmetric - gentle to the south and abruptly to the north. The ridges of the Southern Altai are watersheds between the waters of the tributaries of the river. Black Irtysh and the system of the river. Bukhtarmy. In the highest areas, they are covered with eternal snow and numerous glaciers. In the eastern part of these ridges, the heights reach 3915 m, and in the western part, 3350 m. The highest point of the Southern Altai (Mount Kirei) is 3790 m. High passes are characteristic of the Southern Altai.

Eastern Altai consists of a series of ridges located on the watershed between the Ob, Abakan and Kobdo rivers. These are the Sailyugem, Chikhacheva and Shapshal ridges. Saylyugem (absolute height up to 4029 m) stretches along the border with Mongolia and serves as a watershed between the systems of the river. Ob (rivers Argut, Chuya, Bashkaus, Chulyshman) and rivers. Kobdo. From the Chikhachev ridge, the Chulyshmansky, Kuraisky and Aigulaksky ridges depart to the west, which in turn separates a whole fan of ridges filling the space between the river. Katun and Lake Teletskoye.

In the upper reaches of the river. Ony (system of the Abakan river) Eastern Altai through the Shapshal ridge adjoins the Western Sayan. The characteristic features of the relief of Eastern Altai are significant uplift, comparative smoothness of mountain ranges with more or less gentle slopes; also typical are dome-shaped peaks and a significant development of raised hilly plains (plateaus). Of these plateaus (the so-called "steppes") we will name the Chuya steppe, the Kurai steppe, the Chulyshman plateau, the Ukok plateau, located at altitudes from 1500 to 2300 m and are the threshold to similar high steppes and semi-deserts of Central Asia.

Central, or Inner Altai. Here, two main mountain ranges (northern and southern) are clearly distinguished, having an almost latitudinal strike and gradually decreasing in the direction from east to west. The southern chain consists of the high massive Katunskiy ridge (Katunskiye squirrels) with the highest point in Altai - Mount Belukha (4506 m).

A direct continuation of the Katunsky proteins to the east is the river gorge separated from them. Arguta ridge Yuzhno-Chuyskie squirrels with the main peak - Mount Irbistu (up to 3958 m). To the west of the Katunsky ridge, separated from it by the valley of the river. Katun is the Kholzun ridge with heights of up to 2600 m. Mountain ranges rise here above the snow line and carry heavy snow and the largest glaciers in Altai.

The northern chain of the Central Altai ranges starts from the river. Chuya by the North-Chuiskiy squirrels with the complex mountain knot Bish Iirdu (height 3899 m) and continues further west under the name of the Terektinsky ridge (up to 2891 m height). It is followed by the Korgon (2500 m), lower Tigiretsky (2255 m) and Kolyvansky (Mount Sinyukha - 1197 m) ridges. The last of them is gradually lost in the steppe plains.

From the Kholzun ridge to the west, a number of ridges radiate outward, sometimes distinguished into the system of ridges of the Western Altai - Ulbinsky (1792 m), Ivanovsky (up to 2674 m), Ubinsky, etc.

To the northwest and north of the Terektinsky and Korgonsky ridges, there are mountain ranges in a wide fan - Seminsky (2506 m), Cherginsky (2010 m), Anuisky, Baschelaksky (2359 m). All of them are heavily eroded and have the appearance of medium-altitude mountains, not reaching the upper limit of the forest zone.

Central Altai is characterized by a large contrast in heights and the presence of wide intermontane depressions with a flat bottom (Uimonskaya, Katandinskaya, Abay steppes), with an absolute height of up to 1000 m. direction is difficult and their patency.