The Altai Mountains (Altay Mountains) are a mountain range in East-Central Asia, where Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan come together, and where the rivers Irtysh and Ob have their sources. The Altai Mountains are known as the original locus of the speakers of...
Mountains of Kazakhstan
Steppes and mountains of Kazakhstan create a unique landscape of the country.
Mountains in Kazakhstan, being either low or high, contribute to the beauty of Kazakhstan nature and offer many opportunities for holidays and recreation, attracting many tourists every year.
Central and Western parts of Kazakhstan are considered as Low-mounitain region, whereas in the East and South-East parts of Kazakhstan
Low-mountain region
Saryarka (Kazakh hills) is located in Central Kazakhstan (Karaganda region and Akmola region). It stretches 1200 km from west to east, the average height of these mountains is 500-600m; in the west, width of the hills reaches 900 km, in the east - 350 km.
In the north, Saryarka borders with West Siberian Plain, in the south, with Lake Balkhash and the desert of Betpak Dala, in the east, merges with the mountain system of Saur-Tarbagatai, in the west, adjoins to the Turgay plateau. Among the highest mountains of these hills are: Aksorgan (1565 m), Karkaraly (1403 m), Chingiztau (1305 m), Ulytau (1133 m). Shuchinsk-Borovoe resort zone is considered as a pearl of Saryarka. Local residents call this land "Kazakh Switzerland" due to clear blue lakes surrounded by beautiful mountains of Kazakh hills, which became a favorite destination of tourists from the CIS countries.
Mugodzhars - a low stony ridge – is the southern spur of the Ural Mountains (West Kazakhstan region). The highest point of Mugodzhars is Large Boktybay Mount (657 m). The length of the ridge is 450 km from north to south. Rivers Shiyli and Terisbutak originate on the western slopes of Mugodzhars, and River Oka is formed at their further confluence (left tributary of the Ural Mountains). To the south of the ridge, the sandy desert "Big Badgers" stretches, separating Mugodzhary from the Aral Sea.
Mangystau Mountains is situated in the eponymous peninsula of the Caspian Sea (Mangystau region). The composition of the mountain range includes: southern and northern ridges of Aktau (70 km), as well as western and eastern ridges of Kara-Tau (117 km). The highest point of Mangystau mountains is Besshoky (556 m). Another attraction of the ridge is Karagiye Hollow, depth of which is 132 m below sea level. Karagiye is the lowest point in Kazakhstan.
High-mountain region
Altay is a part of a huge Altay-Sayan mountain system located between Lakes Baikal and Zaisan (East Kazakhstan region). The territory of Kazakhstan covers the south-western tip of the Altay. Due to the topographic features of the Kazakh Altay, it is divided into three regions - the Southern Altay, Rudny Altay, Kalba Range.
