“There is no plain for you here, the climate is different” - the words of Vladimir Vysotsky, known to almost everyone, can become the epigraph of this topic. It will be about the mountains, the most beautiful of all natural reliefs. No wonder, praised in the works of many poets, they attract tourists, climbers and people who want to immerse themselves in a unique, unlike anything microclimate. Looking at the physical map, you can see many mountain ranges scattered around the globe. The Russian territory is also rich in them.
Geographical features of Russia
Russian mountains, like border guards, frame the southern and northeastern outskirts of the country, creating a unique and reliable shield for the plains. Only the mighty Urals boldly crosses the vast expanses of Russia, regardless of borders or time. The bulk of the population lives on flat territories, seeing the mountains either on TV or occasionally, choosing to relax in the mountainous areas.
Less than half of the volume of relief zones in Russia is occupied by mountains. And almost all the ridges of Russia are in the south and the Far East of the country.
Briefly about the mountains
If you touch on the defining signs, by which you can accurately find out that exactly the mountains are in front of the observer, then there are several characteristic points:
- height of more than 200 meters above the level of the foot;
- steep slopes;
- the presence of peaks.
The origin of the mountains vary. If there was a deformation of the earth's crust, then the mountain that arose was of tectonic nature.
As a result of a serious eruption of ash volcanoes, other particles accumulate, forming mountains. Such formations are of volcanic origin, and a crater is necessarily located on the top of such a mountain.
Altitude differences resulting from erosion can also create mountains. Often several arrays of homogeneous origin accumulate in a single territory. Then they are called mountain systems.
List of ranges of Russia
To find a fairy-tale kingdom, heroes usually go "for mountains and seas." This is where we are heading. The mountain ranges of Russia, excluding the majestic Urals, are located on the outskirts of the country. On its territory there are about 20 mountain ranges and more than 1 thousand famous peaks, the highest of which is Elbrus. But there are so deaf and inaccessible places that it is not possible to measure the height of some peaks. Conventionally, the ridges of Russia can be divided into six sections:
- Caucasus.
- Ural mountains.
- Khibiny.
- Far East.
- South of Siberia.
- Northeast Siberia.
The last three points include quite extensive territories on which the largest mountain systems and ranges of Russia are located.
Arrays of the Siberian northeast
The northeastern regions of Siberia are amazingly beautiful species. Young and ancient mountain systems, taiga regions, tundra - these are the relief and nature of this region. The highest point of the East Siberian Highlands, Mount Pobeda, reaches a height of 3 kilometers. It is also one of the highest among all the mountain systems of Eastern Siberia, which stretch for more than 14 kilometers. In addition to the specified highlands, the Verkhoyansk ridge, the Byrranga mountains and the Central Siberian plateau also enter the massif.
In the northeastern territories, rocks of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic period are widespread. There are also ancient and modern glaciers. The subarctic type of climate leads to the fact that some rivers freeze in full, that is, literally to the bottom.
Mountain country of Verkhoyansk
The Verkhoyansk ridge on the map of Russia is one of the seven mountain regions of the northeastern region. It is located in Yakutia. The system includes such major ranges of Russia as Harulakhsky, Orulgan and Suntar-Khayat. The climate of this area is severe. Cold and low temperatures prevail for 8-9 months in a row. In January, the average temperature drops to -40. Snow cover begins to melt in June, although spring comes around mid-May. Summer is quite short and unfriendly, rarely warmer than 14 degrees. It is during this period that the lion's share of precipitation falls.
Due to difficult weather conditions, the population in this area is quite small, respectively, pastures and forests are poorly used. Minerals of the Verkhoyansk mountain system are gold and polymetallic ores. The Verkhoyansk ridge on the map of Russia stretches for 1200 km from the Lena River to Tompo, a tributary of Aldan.
The local mountains attract special beauty. The ridge of Russia under the name Verkhoyanskiy is very similar in shape to the alpine relief. On the lonely cold peaks of the Verkhoyansk Range, Arctic calm prevails. A little lower the frozen desert is replaced by a miserable tundra with its poor vegetation. Cedar dwarfs, dwarf birches, larches and shrubs grow on the slopes. Steppe inclusions are also found.
The harsh south of Siberia: mountain expanse
To the east of the Ural Mountains, after many thousands of kilometers, mountain Siberia is located - a land of tremendous purity and beauty. The ridges of Russia located in this area are famous all over the world:
- Altai.
- Alatau.
- Sayans.
- Salair.
- The mountains of Tuva.
- Transbaikalia.
- Baikal region.
- The backbone of the ridge.
- Aldan Highlands.
Mountain systems and ridges of Russia, such as Altai, are very beautiful and look like an uneven arch. Teletskoye Lake is located in the center of Altai Mountains . In some regions there are steppes, meadows similar to alpine, linden groves. The highest point of Altai is Belukha Mountain. Its height is more than 4.5 kilometers.
Further to the Altai mountains adjoin Alatau and Sayans. The mountain range in these places is expanding significantly, reaching up to six hundred kilometers. In the Sayan Mountains, the great Yenisei begins its journey. At first, the river was fast and willful, but after the construction of hydroelectric structures pacified its temper. The mountain ranges of Russia adjoin these mountain systems, the names of which are known to the initiates: the Tuva Mountains with the highest points of Mongun-Taiga, Sangi-Len, Tannu-Ola. The peaks of the Sayan-Tuva mountains look like domes. Closer to the Mongolian border, small glaciers on the slopes give way to steppe regions.
The zealous guards of the deep Lake Baikal, the mountains of the Baikal region, like a precious rim surround a clean reservoir. By the way, the lake owes its appearance to the high tectonic activity observed in this mountain range. Frequent earthquakes speak of the troubled state of the earth's crust in this region. If sedimentary rocks did not regularly fill the bottom of Lake Baikal, then its depth could reach 6 km.
A little to the east are the mountain ranges of Russia called Transbaikalia. Their feature is the largest width of the mountain belt, reaching thousands of kilometers. The total length of Transbaikalia is about 4 thousand kilometers.
Ridge Ridge: a bridge between regions
Near the Pacific Ocean, the southern ranges are connected with the Far East. And the connecting links in this chain are the Stanovoi Range of Russia, as well as the Aldan Plateau. The main massif of the Stanovoi Range is bare and deserted, with gorges overgrown with forest. The mountain pyramids are a natural feature between the Amur and Yakutia, and the peaks do not rise above 2 km. On the slopes and in the gorges of the Stanovoi Range, mainly coniferous trees grow. Wolves, goats and foxes are practically the only inhabitants of these places, with the exception of small groups of nomads: Chukchi, Tungus and Yakuts.
Far East: vast expanses
The mountains of the Far East are very different and unpredictable. From the Dzhugdzhur Range, located on the shores of the Sea of Okhotsk, they stretch along the territory of the Amur Region and Primorye to Sakhalin, Kamchatka, and the Kuril Ridge. Throughout the relief is very colorful, interrupted by sea bays, valleys and lakes. On the harsh island of Sakhalin, the East Sakhalin and West Sakhalin mountains are located. Further, from Kamchatka to Japan, the Kuril ridge stretches, forming a characteristic island arc. On the Kamchatka Peninsula , the Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano stands apart.
Klyuchevskaya Sopka: the pearl of Kamchatka
This active volcano is the highest point of the peninsula. The height of the peak is almost 5 km, and to be precise, more than 4800 meters. Therefore, the volcano is recognized as the highest in Eurasia. Since the end of the 17th century, he erupted 55 times, however, without causing serious damage to nearby settlements. The age of Klyuchevskaya hill is 70 centuries. You can watch endlessly on the lifeless ash slopes of Klyuchevskaya Sopka, as well as wandering through the dense flower meadows at its foot.
Those who decide to climb the top of the mountain must remember that volcanic gases will not allow them to stay on it for more than 10 minutes. Yes, and high altitude is not the best way affects the human body. But this time will be enough to enjoy the surrounding beauty from the height of the mountain. In any case, the impressions of the conquest of the Klyuchevskaya hill will remain for life.
The Caucasus beneath me ...
The largest mountain range of Russia - the Greater Caucasus - is located between the Black Sea and the Caspian. The Caucasus Mountains are relatively young, but they are distinguished by constant growth. In a year, their peaks become closer to the sky by several centimeters. The Greater Caucasus consists of not too high Black Mountains, low Sunzhensky and Tersky ranges, which do not even reach the mark of one kilometer. In the south you can see the high Lateral, Dividing and Main ridges. The pride of the Caucasus Mountains - the peak of Elbrus - is located just on the territory of the Lateral Ridge.
The center of the Caucasus is prone to extensive avalanches and catastrophic rockfalls. But the climate in this part of the mountains is mild, subtropical, somewhat similar to the south of Europe. The eastern part of the Caucasus resembles a Central Asian meager relief. It is not for nothing that the state located there was called Dagestan, which means “mountainous country”.
But in general, the Caucasus is so beautiful that even the great Alexander Sergeyevich sang it in his works.
A bit about Elbrus
Speaking of the Caucasus, it is impossible not to mention the highest of the European peaks - Elbrus. Rather, two peaks, since the mountain has two peaks with a difference in height of about 20 meters. By the nature of the formation, Elbrus is an extinct volcano. About a million years ago, at the time of its formation, layers of ash, dirt, piles of stones rushed along the slopes of the mountain at a frantic speed. All this gradually increased the height of the volcano.
Now the mountain formation has the honorable status of the highest ski mountain in the world. In addition, he was recently assigned to the list of seven Russian miracles. On the southern slopes of Elbrus cable cars and places for comfortable accommodation of tourists are equipped.
Legends of the Urals
Speaking of Russian mountain ranges, one can not help but recall the Ural Mountains. This is the pride of the country, the dividing strip between west and east. The mountains stretch for a long 2000 km from north to south, from the Arctic Ocean to the Kazakh steppes. There is a legend that it was in these mountains that a unique civilization of wise Aryans was born, in search of traces of which crowds of scientists and tourists travel to the Urals. There are also paranormal zones that may interest even ufologists, since, according to rumors, aliens were seen in the Ural wilds. This amazing place is located in the Taganay National Park. It is not known how true the stories of local residents are, but the fact that equipment malfunctions occur in this area and strange people visit strange visions is an indisputable fact.
In the Urals, even has its own Stonehenge. They say that this place has a powerful energy message. It eliminates evil thoughts and anxieties.
Ancient Ural temples and monasteries invariably attract pilgrims from all over the world.
Also, the Ural Mountains is a tourist mecca, and at any time of the year. In the summer - rafting on mountain rivers, horseback riding, trekking, and in winter - traditional skiing on the snowy slopes. And in recent years, after the appearance of the Chelyabinsk meteorite in the Earth’s atmosphere, routes to the place of its fall have become popular.
There are also things for cavers to do in the Urals: cave complexes determine a serious field for activity.
The ridges of Russia are very diverse and make up the great natural wealth of this diverse and ambiguous country. Most of the inhabitants of Russia live on the flat territories, but the mountains invariably attract people with their wild pristine beauty.