Altai is a complex concept. It includes the Altai Mountains, the Altai Republic and the Altai Territory. The nature of the region fascinates with its beauties, attracting tourists from all over the world.
Let's understand the concept of "Altai"
Geographically, Altai is a large territory in the very center of Asia. It is located on the territory of 4 states at once (Russia, China, Kazakhstan and Mongolia). The common name is Altai Territory. The nature of the region is very diverse, it contains such climatic zones as taiga, forest, forest-steppe, steppe and mountains.
From the point of view of administrative division in the vastness of our country, this territory is divided into 2 constituent entities of the Russian Federation - the Altai Republic with its capital in the city of Gorno-Altaysk and the Altai Territory, the capital of which is the city of Barnaul.
Thus, the concept of the Altai Territory can denote both an administrative unit of a state and a special natural zone on the planet. The article will focus on the natural zone.
Altai region
The nature of the region is very diverse. The terrain is divided into:
- Plains located in its western and central parts, occupying the outskirts of the West Siberian plateau.
- Mountains occupying the north, east and south of the region. Incredibly beautiful nature of Altai. Russia is the country on whose territory most of the hills are located. The peaks of the mountains along the entire length have a height of 500 to 4500 m.
On the flat part there is a forest-steppe and steppe. In the valleys of the mountains and on the plateau, coniferous and deciduous forests rustle.
A lot of rivers flow around the edge, most of which are non-navigable, but decorated with picturesque waterfalls. The main waterways are the Katun River (688 km long) and Biya (280 km long), from which the mighty Ob River originates. Water resources are also represented by numerous lakes, in total about 20 thousand. The most significant - Teletskoye - a huge repository of fresh water, a mountain lake Aya, a sacred reservoir Dzhulukul.
Altai Mountains is a complex system of ridges, dotted with caves, gorges and cliffs with hanging glaciers. The highest part of the Altai Mountains is Belukha peak 4506 m high.
Flora and fauna
Altai Territory, the nature of the region is striking in the diversity of the animal world. The territory is inhabited by brown bears, squirrels, chipmunks, sables, otters, wolverines, foxes, wolves, musk deer, red deer, mountain rams, goats, snow leopards, chori, cat manul, even reindeer and antelopes. In total, more than 100 species of mammals and reptiles, many of which are protected and listed in the Red Book. More than 260 species of birds live in these parts: tundra partridge, golden eagle, hawk, owl and eagle owl, lark, dancer and others.
The fauna is represented by tree species such as larch, spruce, pine, fir, birch, aspen, poplar and others. The pearl of the land is cedar.
Valuable medicinal plants are common in the steppe zone, such as marin root, valerian, moral, spring adonis, Kuril tea, golden root, ginseng, sea buckthorn, horse sorrel, edelweiss.
Sights of Altai
The Golden Mountains abound in scenic spots, many of which are unique in nature. Here are the only tape burs in the world - original nature monuments of the Altai Territory.
In the Altai Territory, 33 reserves and reserves have been created, which occupy 5% of the territory of the region. They are designed to protect unique amazing landscapes and unique biological complexes in which rare animals live and unique plants grow. Many territories have a pristine appearance and are not touched by civilization.
The most beautiful and interesting places in the Altai Territory are declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among them are the Altai Nature Reserve with Teletskoye Lake, the Katunsky Nature Reserve, a natural park on the slope of Belukha Mountain and the Ukok Plateau. The total area of the protected zone is 1.64 million hectares.
Altai caves - another amazing creation of nature
Among the most significant:
• Geophysical - one of the most beautiful caves in the Altai Territory. It is 500 m long and extends 130 m deep into the rock. The Royal Grotto with 4-meter stalactites and stalagmites is especially impressive.
• Denisova Cave - one of the most interesting from a scientific point of view. There have long been archaeological excavations. Already studied 20 cultural strata, the oldest of which has an age of about 300 thousand years.
• Ecological - the cave has the deepest mine in Siberia - 340 m, the length of the cave is more than 2 km.
• Tavdinskaya - for the unusual beauty of through corridors and arches, the cave is called a natural monument of republican significance.
• Altai - goes deep into 240 m, its length is about 2.5 km. Interesting in that, in the depths of the cave, cavers discovered a lake with unique calcite flowers and cave pearls.