The Altai Mountains are the highest mountain. The Golden Mountains of Altai are a world heritage protected by UNESCO. "Golden Mountains of Altai"

There are many corners of nature in the world that simply amaze the imagination with their beauty. One of such places is It is located in the southeastern part. In the east, the region is surrounded by the Salair Ridge - a mostly flat area dotted with numerous low hills. As you move to the southeast, the terrain gradually changes. The endless plains come close to the majestic ones. To say that they are beautiful is to say nothing.

The Altai Mountains are the pride of the world. Translated from ancient Turkic, “Altai” sounds like “golden mountain” or “mountain of gold.” Looking at these giants, I want to believe that this is really so. This is the largest mountain range in Siberia. It harmoniously combines snow-capped peaks and picturesque green slopes, silent hills and raging mountain rivers with crystal clear water. The altitude of the area ranges from 500 to 2000 meters above sea level. The subsoil of the fabulous Altai region is rich in various minerals. Copper, zinc, gold, lead, silver - this is only a small part of what the local land contains. A lot of decorative building materials, as well as rare ornamental materials, are mined in the region. Rich deposits of jasper and quartzite are known throughout the world. And soda reserves are the largest in the world. This further emphasizes the importance of the region for our entire country.

The Altai mountains are cut by small rivers, which, smoothly descending to the plain, form lakes. One of them (Teletskoye) is even under the protection of the world organization UNESCO. Along its eastern coast there is a nature reserve where many live. Among them is the famous

There is a legend that the Altai Mountains were formed more than 400 million years ago. Then, under the influence of the forces of nature, they were completely destroyed, and only 350 million years later did what we see now appear. Ancient giants, shrouded in a blanket of snow, rise majestically above the green, hilly plain. The Altai Mountains attract the attention of many lovers of heights. Numerous climbers come here to test their strength by climbing steep rocky areas. Those who are lucky will be able to enjoy the wonderful landscape from a bird's eye view.

Despite the fact that in the Altai Territory there is a two-pointed Belukha, which rises 4.5 thousand meters above sea level, most climbers do not strive here at all. They are attracted by a completely different peak - Mount Sinyukha. The Altai region is famous precisely because of it. The height of this beauty is only 1210 meters. On the territory of the Kolyvan ridge located here, this is the highest point. But that’s not what makes her interesting. If you look at the mountain from a distance, it appears blue. This is due to the dense vegetation. Maybe that’s why they called her that - “Sinyukha”. In the immediate vicinity of this mountain there are two of the most famous lakes in Altai: Mokhovoe and Beloe. At the foot of the massif a birch grove begins. Tourists climb up the path. The road gradually becomes more difficult. The sunny birch forest gradually changes to harsh taiga fir thickets. A few hours of climbing - and the long-awaited peak, surrounded by granite rocks, opens up. One of them has an iron cross installed. In the very center of the peak there is a block of granite with a bowl-shaped depression filled with water. Since ancient times, people believed that if you climb to the top of Sinyukha, wash yourself with water from a bowl and pray at the iron cross, then for a whole year all problems will bypass you and your soul will be at peace. The mountain has long been a place of pilgrimage for Christians. And even now many believe in the ancient legend.

The capital of the Altai Territory is the city of Barnaul. Its history goes back just over 200 years. This is not so much, but the city is rapidly developing and gaining strength. During its existence, it suffered earthquakes and floods, wars and destruction. Residents sacredly honor the memory of the past, which is preserved in numerous museums. Modern Barnaul is a city of contrasts. Against the backdrop of wide avenues and multi-storey buildings, ancient buildings have been preserved, reminiscent of bygone years.

The road to Altai lies through Barnaul. Crowds of people strive to see with their own eyes the endless expanses of mountains and forests of indescribable beauty, swim in the purest lakes and breathe the fresh air of Altai meadows.

Posted Fri, 27/03/2015 - 08:50 by Cap

Southern Altai is a mountain range in the south of Altai, the western part of which is located in Kazakhstan, the eastern part of the ridge separates Russia from China. Length about 125 km. Height up to 3871 m. In the foothills up to an altitude of 1400-1500 m there are steppe landscapes, park larch forests reach an altitude of 2100-2200 m; the high mountain zone is dominated by subalpine and alpine meadows. About 180 glaciers (including Adakhinsky - length 5 km, area 19.5 km2). It starts to the west from the Karakoba River, separating it from the Kalbinsky ridge located even further west. Passes from west to east. In the east it ends at the Tavan-Bogdo-Ula massif, which begins the Sailyugem ridges (to the east) and the Mongolian Altai (to the south).

Mongolian Altai is a mountain system in Mongolia and China (on the border). It consists of several ridges separated by valleys, stretching for 1000 km from southeast to northwest. The width varies from 150 km to 300 km, the highest point is Mount Munkh-Khairkhan-Ula (4362 m). The tops of the ridges are plateau-shaped and covered with glaciers, the total area of ​​which is 830 km². Most of them, including the largest Potanin glacier, are located in the Tavan-Bogdo-Ula massif. The ridges are mainly composed of crystalline schists, porphyries, porphyrites and granites. On the moist slopes of the southwestern side there are meadows and forests, on the dry northeastern slopes there are steppes and semi-deserts.

In the north it approaches the highlands of the Altai Republic, in the west and south there are semi-deserts and deserts of Dzungaria and Gobi, and the entire northeastern part of the system borders on the semi-deserts of the Great Lakes Basin. In the east of the Mongolian Altai there is the Alag-Nur depression, which separates it from the lower Gobi Altai (altitude up to 3900 m). At the northwestern extremity of the ridge is Kanas Lake.
On the territory of China, the mountains are located in the Altai District in the Ili-Kazakh Autonomous Region of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China with its capital in Altai.

The Gobi Altai is a mountain system in the south of Mongolia, a southeastern continuation of the Mongolian Altai. The Gobi Altai consists of chains of sublatitudinal ridges and ridges, separated by dry valleys and basins and surrounded by sloping plains (bels). The length of the system is over 500 km, the prevailing heights are from 1500 to 3000 m. The highest point is the peak of Barun-Bogdo-Ula (3957 m) in the Ikh-Bogdo ridge. The vegetation in the lower zone is desert, in the upper zone it is steppe. The mountains are composed of crystalline schists, granites, sandstones and limestones. The Gobi Altai region is highly seismic. In 1957, a catastrophic earthquake of 11-12 magnitude occurred here; noticeable soil vibrations were observed over an area of ​​5 million km². In 1958, another earthquake occurred in the Gobi Altai, with a magnitude of 10, called the Bayan-Tsagan earthquake.

Steppe Altai is part of the Priob Plateau on the territory of the Altai Territory, gradually turning into the foothills of Altai in the south. The average height is 250-260 m. The Priob Plateau rises 50-75 m above the Kulunda Basin, the plateau is dissected by wide and deep (40-100 m) hollows, stretched parallel to each other from northeast to southwest. The bottoms of the hollows are filled with sand, the surface of which, under the influence of the wind, has acquired a hilly-ridge character. Modern rivers laid out their valleys in these hollows. The largest of them are Alei, Kasmala and Barnaulka.
In the hollow of the Kasmalinskaya ribbon there are bitterly salty lakes Bolshoye Gorkoye and Maloe Gorkoye. The climate of the plain is warmer and drier than other zones of the West Siberian Lowland. The average annual temperature on the Priobsky plateau is +2.5 °C, the average annual precipitation is 450 mm. Due to the almost flat terrain, it is subject to the influence of strong winds and intrusions of air masses both from the Arctic Ocean and from Central Asia. Soils are formed on loess-like loams. Open steppe spaces on chernozem soils predominate. In some places, birch trees are found, mainly on dark gray forest soils; Ribbon pine forests (under which soddy-podzolic soils are formed), swamps and lakes are confined to the hollows of the ancient runoff. Most of the territory of the Priob Plateau is plowed.

Mount Belukha is located in the Ust-Koksinsky region of the Altai Mountains. It is the highest point of the Katunsky ridge and the highest point of Siberia. Belukha has two peaks in the form of irregular pyramids - Eastern (4506 m) and Western (4435 m), between which there is a depression - “Belukha Saddle”, 4000 m high. The two peaks of Belukha together with the peaks Delaunay and The crown of Altai forms the Akkem wall, falling almost vertically down towards the Akkem glacier.

On the territory of Russia, beyond the Urals, only in Kamchatka there is a peak higher than Belukha - Klyuchevskaya Sopka. But it’s not so much its height that attracts this mountain. As climbers say: Belukha is not for records, but for the soul. It gives off some special influence that is noticeable even at a distance from its foot. Seeing it for the first time, a person is filled with delight. In the valley of Lake Akkem, at the foot of Belukha, there is generally an atmosphere of openness and brotherhood with everyone nearby, even strangers. What Turistka.ru felt when she visited here in August 2008.

Altaians revere Belukha and consider it a sacred mountain. Altai names (peak of Katun), Ak-Suru (majestic), Musdutuu (ice mountain. Belukha is not an easy mountain, it is an antenna that receives information from Space, transforms it, and distributes it to the whole Earth. People are prepared, harmonious, in connection with nature, can “communicate” with Belukha and “read” from her the information that she carries. Belukha has a harmonizing effect on a person, increasing his sensitivity and love for nature.

The famous mystical artist, artist-traveler Nikolai Konstantinovich Roerich, who visited Belukha in 1926 during his Central Asian expedition, also noted the unusualness of the space around Belukha. He wrote: “We saw Belukha. It was so clean and loud. Straight to Zvenigorod.” The artist felt that there was an energy bridge between Belukha and Everest, like two space antennas. “Altai - the Himalayas, two poles, two magnets” - this is what he wrote in his diaries. Roerich made a large number of sketches in the Belukha area. And after visiting Belukha on the southern side, he painted the painting “Belukha”. In 1942, Nikolai Konstantinovich painted the painting “Victory”. In the foreground is a warrior in ancient Russian armor who slayed a dragon. On the second - the shining peaks of Belukha. In honor of N.K. Roerich and his family members are named

The first records about Belukha appeared more than 200 years ago, when the Russian scientist and traveler P.I. Shangin, in his expedition to Altai, having visited the Uimon Valley, recorded stories about Belukha hunters and miners.

Gebler Friedrich Vilgelmovich, a well-known scientist and researcher in Altai, a doctor at the Kolyvan-Voskresensk factories, managed to reach Belukha for the first time in 1835. In order to collect and study medicinal plants, he traveled a lot throughout Altai and in 1836, striving for the source of the Katun, he approached Belukha from the south and discovered the Katun glacier, which was later named after him and the Berel glacier. Gebler then climbed the southern slope to the border of the non-melting snow and made an attempt to determine the height of Belukha. Later, in his article “Note on the Katun Mountains,” Gebler speaks of Belukha as the highest peak of the “Russian Altai.”

A faithful researcher of Belukha for many years was the Siberian researcher and scientist, professor of Tomsk University Vasily Vasilyevich Sapozhnikov, who in the period from 1895 to 1911 was repeatedly in the Belukha area from the northern and southern sides and discovered and described the Belukha glacier massif: Akkemsky, Iedygemsky glaciers , as well as their tributaries and satellites, the Cherny glacier, Myushtuairy (Tronov Brothers) and several other glaciers in the upper reaches of Kuchurla. In 1898, after two unsuccessful attempts in previous years, Sapozhnikov and his companions reached the saddle of Belukha and measured the height of its peaks.

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SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND PHOTO:
Team Nomads

Sights of Gorny Altai.
N. G. Seledtsov, N. E. Shpilekova. "To help tourists." Gorno-Altaisk, 2000
Sapozhnikov V.V. Across Altai. - M.: Geographgiz, 1949. - 579 p.
Galakhov V.P., Mukhametov R.M. Glaciers of Altai. - Novosibirsk: Science, 1999.
http://www.altai-photo.ru/
Altai Mountains - article from the Great Soviet Encyclopedia
Altai landscape region in the book: N. A. Gvozdetsky, N. I. Mikhailov. Physical geography of the USSR. M., 1978.
Golden Mountains of Altai on the website of the Natural Heritage Conservation Foundation
Murzaev E.M. Dictionary of folk geographical terms. 1st ed. - M., Mysl, 1984.
Murzaev E.M. Turkic geographical names. - M., Vost. lit., 1996.
Altai // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: In 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional ones). - St. Petersburg, 1890-1907.
http://www.turistka.ru/altai/

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The truth of what to say and look at the mountains has long been known to everyone, today we will talk and look at the wonderful heights - the Altai Mountains. The Altai Mountains are located on the border of several states: Russia, Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan. The Altai Mountains are the largest mountain system in Siberia. ( Looking at the Altai Mountains 11 photos)

First of all, the Altai Mountains are famous for their indescribable beauty and versatility of landscapes. Steep cliffs combine here in unique harmony with picturesque forests and crystal clear mountain rivers. The Altai Mountains truly combine a variety of landscapes, sunny, green meadows give way to sheer windy cliffs, or rugged forests give way to crystal clear waters of lakes.

We can talk about the unique beauty of these mountains for an infinitely long time, which is worth saying, because it was the Altai Mountains that served as a place of inspiration for many writers and poets, and the Altai Mountains also appear in many creative works. The Altai Mountains have a unique history; scientists claim that the mountains were first formed in the period 500-400 million years ago, then the mountain ranges were almost completely destroyed, and already in the period 66 million years ago the mountains that we now see were born on Earth.

Thanks to several periods of formation, the Altai Mountains combine all possible reliefs. The Altai Mountains can be divided into four parts: flat terrain, alpine-type glacial high-mountain terrain and mid-mountain terrain. Basically, all areas of the Altai Mountains are cut by small rivers flowing into valleys, forming crystal clear mountain lakes. These reservoirs are fed exclusively by snow, so depending on the time of year, the water level in the reservoirs may fluctuate.

The average height of the mountains is 1800-2000 meters. The highest point of the Altai Mountains is Mount Belukha, whose peak is located at 4,506 meters. The pride of the Altai Mountains are three regions, which together form the “Golden Mountains of Altai” - this is the name under which UNESCO in 1998 included three regions of the Altai Mountains on the World Heritage List, these are the Altai Reserve, the Katunsky Reserve and the Ukok Plateau.

The mountains are very popular among tourists who prefer an active lifestyle, and the Altai Mountains also occupy a special place in the hearts of climbers. For climbers, these picturesque landscapes guarantee that they will find a difficult climb here, after climbing which they will definitely be satisfied with the beauty that opens up. Having been in Altai, it is worth visiting the Altai Mountains, or at least the plains near the peaks, the atmosphere is unearthly.

The fragile and crumbly structure of the rocks characterizes the origin of numerous caves here; there are about 300 caves in Altai. There are equipped caves for tourists to visit. One of the largest caves is the Bolshaya Pryamukhinskaya Cave, the length of which reaches 320 meters. The longest Museum Cave, its length is 700 meters.

It is here in the Altai Mountains that the deepest mountains of Siberia are located. The Altai Mountains contain many interesting facts for both archaeologists and biologists. Ancient settlements of Stone Age inhabitants were discovered in one of the caves of the Altai Mountains.

These were the most beautiful Altai Mountains - description and photos. Stay tuned and have a pleasant travel experience.

Altai will certainly be of interest to numerous tourists. This is truly a country of unique beauty, known for its majestic mountains, vast valleys and deep rivers. The Altai Mountains are a rather complex system of mountain ranges. For more than a hundred years, the Altai mountains have been attracting artists, scientists, climbers, photographers and simply those who like to relax in nature.

Golden Mountains

In 1998, the Altai Republic was included by UNESCO in the World Heritage List. There are three objects in total on this list: the Altai and Katunsky nature reserves, as well as the Ukok plateau. The protected area, which exceeds 16,000 km2, includes Lake Teletskoye and Mount Belukha. Here you can also find several Pazyryk burial grounds.

All these places were not chosen for conservation by chance. It is here that you can find such rare animals as the Altai argali, snow leopard, and snow leopard. Unfortunately, despite the efforts made to protect this area, poaching continues to flourish here.

Mount Belukha

Mount Belukha is the highest point in Siberia. The height of this grandiose peak is 4506 meters above sea level. It is represented by two pointed pyramids of irregular shape, Eastern and Western Belukha. Between the peaks there is a small depression called Belukha Saddle.

For the first time, Professor Sapozhnikov was able to measure the height of Belukha. The barometer showed the following results: the height of the Eastern peak is 4542 meters, the Western peak is 4437, and the height of the saddle is 4065 meters above sea level. The subsequent measurement of the mountain took place in 1935 by climber D.I. Gushchin. He managed to climb to the top of Eastern Belukha and get very unexpected barometer results - 4630 meters.

It is worth noting that the Belukha area is located in a zone of increased seismic activity, so small earthquakes are not uncommon here. As a result, avalanches are often observed, landslides occur, and the ice shell breaks. The territory of Belukha is characterized by tectonic uplift, which continues to this day.

Belukha Climate

The climate of Belukha is quite harsh. Winters here are long and cold, and summers are short and rainy. Depending on the altitudinal zonation, it varies, starting from the top of the mountain and up to the glacial climate. At the moment, instrumental observations are being carried out by two weather stations at once - Akkem and Karaturek. Previously, another weather station, Katun, operated near the Gebler Glacier. According to research results, in the summer the weather at the top of Belukha is quite cold, reaching -20 0 C.

In winter, negative temperatures can reach 48 degrees. Temperature inversions are quite common here. The norm of annual precipitation, according to weather stations, is 533 mm. Foehns and mountain winds are widespread in the nival-glacial zone of the mountain. Currently, 169 glaciers are known to be located on the slopes and valleys of Belukha.

Rivers, vegetation and fauna

Most of the rivers of the Altai Mountains belong to the river basin. Katun, which originates on the southern slope of the Gebler glacier. The rivers Akkem, Kucherla, Idygem, Bukhtarma and others also flow here. Rivers that were born near glaciers belong to a special type of Altai rivers. The precipitation that falls here does not play a special role in feeding the rivers, unlike snow and glacial meltwater.

Rivers in Altai are distinguished by their transience. There are often waterfalls - for example, the magnificent Rossypnoy waterfall, located on the right tributary of the Katun. In the valleys of Altai there are numerous lakes that appeared in connection with the activity of ancient glaciers. The largest and most picturesque of them are Nizhneye Akkemskoye and Bolshoye Kucherlinskoye.

The fauna of the Altai region is truly unique. Very rare species of birds and animals are found here. Birds are the most diverse. Here you can often find white partridge, chough, and alpine jackdaw. Much less common are the Siberian mountain finch and even quite exotic species, such as the juniper grosbeak. You can also see the golden eagle, the great lentil and the Altai snowcock - all these birds are listed in the Red Book.

The Altai Mountains are characterized by variegated vegetation. The forests here are mainly represented by dark coniferous species - Siberian spruce, fir, cedar. Deciduous trees such as mountain ash, larch and birch are found everywhere here. Among the shrubs, the most popular are meadowsweet, caragana and honeysuckle. Lingonberries are becoming more common with altitude.

There are many tourist routes and destinations in Altai; horseback riding and hiking are very popular. The beauty and diversity of the nature of the Altai Mountains will not leave anyone indifferent: quiet lakes and fast rivers, high mountains and mysterious caves - all this has been attracting numerous tourists and travelers from all over the world for many decades.

Altai– 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 were severely destroyed and acquired a completely different appearance, which we can observe today. The Altai Mountains are heterogeneous in their relief. There are three main groups here: plains, mid-mountain and glacial high-mountain relief. 2000 meters is the average height of the mountains. The highest point in Altai is Mount Belukha, its height is 4506 meters.

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

Belukha

Belukha is the highest point of Altai, recognized as the geographical center of Eurasia - it is equidistant from three oceans. This mountain has never been just a mountain, but has always represented a sacred place. The ancient Altai people of Kadyn-Bazhi believed that a terrible demon lived in the mountain, who would kill everyone who tried to climb this mountain. This is what explained the regular avalanches and rockfalls caused by the earthquake.

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

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

Ukok Plateau

The Ukok plateau is considered the meeting point 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. Rock paintings, mounds, and stone sculptures were found here. “Princess of Ukok” is the main find in this area. This is the mummy of a 25-year-old woman found here in 1993. Tattoos on her skin, as well as horses, gold, and household items buried with her, give the right to claim that she was a very noble woman. Archaeologists, historians, and art historians still continue to study this incredibly picturesque place.

Altai Mountains brief information.