Heavenly mountains of the Tien Shan. Tien Shan Mountains: photo, description, length, geographical location Average height of the Tien Shan

Kyrgyz, Trans-Ili Alatau, Kungey-Alatau, Terskey-Ala-Too. The Middle Tien Shan includes the Pskem, Chatkal, Kuramin, Fergana, etc. ridges, and the Southern Tien Shan, which is divided by the last ridge into the eastern and western parts: Nuratau, Turkestan, Zeravshan, Gissar, Alai (in the west) and At- Bashi, Kakshaal-Too (in the east). The mountain ranges have an average height of 3000-4000 m and are dissected by valleys through which large rivers flow: Pskem, Chatkal, Syrdarya, Zeravshan, Surkhob, Naryn, Tekes, etc. Numerous glaciers and large centers of glaciation are known - the Khan Tengri mountain junction, Pobeda Peak, Alai Range. There are many large lakes: Issyk-Kul (area 6236 km2, according to other sources - 6330 km2, altitude 1608 m), Song-Kol, Chatyr-Kul, Bagramkul, Turfanskoye, etc. The belt landscape zoning is well expressed. The climate is sharply continental and arid. The amount of precipitation increases with height and in the glacial-nival belt is 1600 mm/year. In the internal (intermountain) depressions, 200-400 mm of precipitation falls per year. Due to the significant dryness of the climate, the snow line in the Tien Shan is located at an altitude of 3600-3800 m, and in the Central Tien Shan even at an altitude of 4200-4500 m.

Geological structure and minerals. The Tien Shan is part of the Ural-Mongolian (Ural-Okhotsk) folded geosynclinal belt. In the north, the folded structures have a northwestern and sublatitudinal strike, and in the south, a sublatitudinal strike. After the Hercynian folding, most of the Tien Shan was peneplainized. Mountain building, which created the modern high-mountain relief, began in the Oligocene and was especially evident in the Pliocene and Anthropocene. Differentiated tectonic movements led to the formation of stepped relief, powerful erosion, the development of deep river valleys, and the emergence of glaciation centers (see map).

According to the characteristics of the geological structure, the Tien Shan is divided into Northern, Middle and Southern. The first is a Caledonian folded structure and is separated by a deep tectonic suture - the suture (the so-called “Nikolaev line”) from the younger systems of the Middle and Southern Tien Shan. The Southern Tien Shan is a Hercynian structure, and the Middle Tien Shan occupies an intermediate position.

The Northern (Caledonian) Tien Shan includes the North Kyrgyz zone, superimposed on the eastern part of the Kokchetav-Muyunkum massif, which was heavily reworked during the Caledonian era. The Early Precambrian foundation of this zone is exposed in the Makbal horst and makes up the buried massifs: Muyunkum and Issyk-Kul, composed of Archean gneiss complexes and linear folded zones of the Early Proterozoic. On this folded foundation in the Middle Riphean, troughs were formed, filled with terrigenous-carbonate strata, unconformably overlain by basic volcanics and siliceous shales of the Upper Riphean (Terskey series). Vendian deposits, represented by terrigenous rocks (), sharply unconformably overlap the Riphean strata. To the south, Vendo-Early Cambrian and Middle Cambrian-Ordovician island-arc volcanics and marginal marine terrigenous strata are common. At the end of the Ordovician and at the end of the Silurian - Early-Middle Devonian, uplifts and deformations began in the north. The introduction of huge granite intrusions, widely developed in the Kyrgyz zone, dates back to this time. During the Hercynian stage, in an environment of blocky differentiated movements, terrestrial volcanics, red rocks and terrigenous-carbonate deposits with a thickness of 2-4 km accumulated in different places.

The middle Tien Shan is limited from the north by the “Nikolaev line”, and from the southwest by the Beltau-Kurama volcanic belt and the eastern continuation of the Syrdarya massif, on which this zone is partially superimposed. To the east of the Thalasso-Fergana fault, the Middle Tien Shan narrows and is cut off by the At-Bashyn fault. The middle Tien Shan is composed of Vendian tillite-like conglomerates, carbonate sediments and siliceous-argillaceous vanadium-bearing shales (up to 3 km), and Ordovician carbonate-terrigenous sediments (up to 2.5 km). The Silurian, represented by continental molasse with volcanics, is developed only in the Chatkal ridge. This Caledonian complex is unconformably overlain by continental variegated clastic strata of the Middle Devonian (1.5 km), marine sandy-conglomerate and carbonate-clayey deposits of the Upper Devonian (3.5 km). In the east of the zone, the carbonate-terrigenous Lower Carboniferous (3 km) and the siliceous-clayey Middle Carboniferous (2 km) are developed. The Beltau-Kurama volcanic belt rests on Riphean metamorphites and carbonate-terrigenous sediments (more than 5 km) at the top with basalts (Lower Carboniferous). Above is a thick (up to 6 km) continental sequence of basalts, andesites, dacites and comagmatic granitoids belonging to the Middle-Upper Carboniferous. The Permian consists of coarse continental molasse and rhyolitic ignimbrites, tuffs and lavas. The deposits of the Hercynian complex are less dislocated than the Caledonian complex. East of the Thalasso-Fergana fault, the Middle Tien Shan includes the Dzhetymtau, Moldo-Too and Naryn-Too ridges, in which the Hercynian complex forms synclinoriums, and the Caledonian complex appears in the uplifts.

The Southern Tien Shan extends in the latitudinal direction, tapering in the east, and is divided into three parts: western (Kyzylkum), central (Gissar-Alai) and eastern (At-Bashy-Kakshaal). From the south, the folded systems of the Southern Tien Shan are limited by the Afghan-Tajik and Tarim Precambrian massifs. In the central part, which has a width of up to 200 km, a number of zones with different types of sections are distinguished from the north and south: Northern, Kapa-Chatyr, South Fergana, and to the south - Turkestan-Alai and Zeravshan-Gissar zones. From the south, the last zone is limited by the South Gissar volcanic belt. To the south, Precambrian rocks of the Afghan-Tajik massif are exposed. The structure of the Southern Tien Shan is characterized by the widespread development of Hercynian thrusts and southern vergence nappes. The formation of the system due to the destruction of the Precambrian continental crust dates back to the beginning of the Paleozoic, as evidenced by the presence of ophiolites of this age. In the Silurian - the first half of the Carboniferous, limestones accumulated on massifs with continental crust, and clays and flysch accumulated on oceanic crust. The thickness of the deposits reached 8 km. The beginning of deformations dates back to the middle of the Middle Carboniferous, as evidenced by powerful olistostromes and gravitational covers. Uplifts intensified at the end of the Carboniferous and Permian. All deposits are intruded by granites. To the east, all zones narrow, and in the south they border on the Tarim massif.

In the Mesozoic and Cenozoic, the Northern and Middle Tien Shan developed somewhat differently from the Southern Tien Shan. In the Northern Tien Shan in the Triassic-Eocene there was a platform with a thin cover of continental clastic deposits that filled a number of depressions. In the Jurassic there was an intensification of movements, and from the Oligocene the pace of tectonic movements increased sharply and the range of movements was 8-10 km in the Pliocene. Along with powerful mountain ranges, large intermountain depressions with coarse molasse and foothill troughs (Frunzensky, Ilisky, Alakolsky) also developed. The southern Tien Shan at the beginning of the Mesozoic was peneplanated, but in the Late Triassic - Early Jurassic, near-fault basins were formed - East and South Fergana, etc. In the first of them, a three-kilometer thick layer of continental coal-bearing sediments was deposited, which underwent folding in the Late Jurassic. In the Cretaceous and Early Paleogene, marine, continental and lagoonal sediments accumulated (up to 2-3 km), preserved within the Fergana and Tajik depressions. From the late Oligocene, an uplift of the region began, which sharply intensified from the Pliocene and formed the modern high-mountain relief and depressions filled with molasse up to 6 km. In the Pleistocene, new, rather intense fold-thrust deformations appeared, associated with the convergence of the Hindustan and Eurasian lithospheric plates. Thus, a vast mountainous country with high seismicity was formed.

The western (Kyzylkum) part of the Southern Tien Shan is the widest (up to 300-3500 km) and within its boundaries analogues of all zones of the central part of the Southern Tien Shan are developed. In the west, the Hercynides of the Southern Tien Shan are cut off by a meridional fault, along which the end junction of the structures of the Urals and the Southern Tien Shan occurs.

History of mineral resource development. The first evidence of the use of flint for making tools dates back to the Early Paleolithic (700-300 thousand years ago). In the area of sites in Karatau, in the Central Tien Shan (valley of the On-Archa River), on Lake Issyk-Kul (Boz-Barmak), similarities of mine workings for the extraction of flints were discovered. Quarries of the Middle Paleolithic era are known near the sites of Khoja-Gor, Kapchagai, Togor, etc., and of the Late Paleolithic - in Kapchagai. 5-3 thousand years ago, in the late Neolithic era, the development of natural paints began: ocher, manganese peroxide, etc., which were used to make rock paintings in the Teke-Sekirik caves near the city of Naryn and Ak-Chunkur on the Sary-Jaz River. At the same time, clay began to be mined for making dishes.

In the 2nd millennium BC, during the Bronze and Copper Age, the development of ores of copper, lead, tin, zinc, as well as gold and silver began. Stone molds were used to produce metal castings. By this time there are traces of mining in the form of quarries, shallow mines and adits in settlement areas - Boz-Tepe, Chim-bay, Kapa-Kochkor on the Chu, Talas and Naryn rivers. At the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. A reduction in the production of tin and copper began, which is associated with the development of iron smelting, the ore of which was mined in the Talas Range, in the foothills of the Fergana Depression. Slave relations, which developed in Central Asia starting from the middle of the 1st millennium BC, did not slow down the development of mining, but there is very little data about this era. Feudalism, which replaced in the 1st millennium AD. The slave system, in connection with the needs of agriculture, urban crafts and military needs, contributed to an increase in mining. Historical chronicles of that time report iron mining in the Western Tien Shan, where iron ore slag dumps are known at many points in the Chirchik River basin, in the Kurama Mountains (Turganly, At-Kulak, Shah-Adam-Bulak, Kan-Tam, etc.) and the remains of ancient workings, as well as in the area of Lake Issyk-Kul (Koysary), where in the fortification of the 7th-12th centuries. a blacksmith's tool made from local raw materials was found. During the same era, gold was mined (Kumaynak in the valley of the Angren River) and a lot of silver was mined in the western spurs of the Tien Shan (Kukhi-Sim mine). The lead extracted along the way was used to make mineral paints and household products. Copper ores were mined in the valley of the Chu River, in the regions of Aksu and Kucha (eastern Tien Shan), Ak-Tasha (Kyrgyz Range), Almalyk (Kuramin Range), where about 500 ancient workings with a volume of up to 20,000 m 3 are known. Mining developments were in the form of quarries and adits up to 30 m long, with side pockets Mushketov, D.I. Mushketov, N.G. Kassin, as well as V.N. Weber, who in 1913 gave the first information about the patterns of distribution of minerals. After the Great October Revolution, prominent Soviet geologists A.E. Fersman, D.V. Nalivkin, D.I. Shcherbakov led the work on the comprehensive development of the natural resources of the Tien Shan. A great contribution to the study of geology and mineral resources of the Tien Shan was made by V. A. Nikolaev, A. V. Peive, N. M. Sinitsyn, Kh. M. Abdullaev, A. E. Dovzhikov, G. S. Porshnyakov, V. N. Ognev, D. P. Rezvoy, V. G. Korolev, V. S. Burtman and others. For information about the modern mining industry of the Tien Shan, see in Art. about the republics: Kyrgyz CCP, Tajik CCP, Uzbek CCP.

Tours in the Tien Shan mountains.

“My work on Asian geography led me... to a thorough acquaintance with everything that was known about inner Asia. I was especially drawn to the most central of the Asian mountain ranges - the Tien Shan, on which no European traveler had yet set foot and which was known only from scanty Chinese sources... Penetrate deep into Asia to the snowy peaks of this inaccessible ridge, which the great Humboldt, based on the same meager Chinese information, considered volcanic, and bring him several samples from the fragments of rocks of this ridge, and home - a rich collection of flora and fauna of a country newly discovered by science - that was what seemed the most tempting feat for me"

Semenov Tian-Shansky.

Excursion trips to the Tien Shan and Dzungarian Alatau.

Tien Shan is one of the largest mountain systems in Asia. Translated from Chinese, Tien Shan means “Heavenly Mountains”. The territory of Kazakhstan includes almost the entire Northern Tien Shan, parts of the Central and Western Tien Shan.
The Central Tien Shan within Kazakhstan begins from a powerful mountain node Khan Tengri(H-6995), at the junction of the borders of China, Kazakhstan And Kyrgyzstan. Further it extends to the west along a series of ridges.
The largest of them is Tersky Alatau. The border with Kyrgyzstan runs along its eastern branch. Ranges included in the Northern Tien Shan : Ketmen, Kungey Alatau, Trans-Ili Alatau, Chu-Ili Mountains and Kyrgyz Alatau.
The Western Tien Shan includes the Talas ridge and the Ugam and Korzhintau ridges extending from it in the southeast direction. Located entirely within Kazakhstan Karatau- the most extreme, heavily destroyed region of the Tien Shan.
Relief, geological structure and minerals. Tien Shan is located in an ancient geosynclinal belt. It is composed of metamorphosed shales, sandstones, gneisses, limestones and volcanic rocks of Precambrian and Lower Paleozoic deposits.
Later continental and lacustrine deposits are concentrated on the mountain plains. They consist of clayey, sandy and moraine deposits. Main mountain systems: Trans-Ili Alatau - the northernmost high-mountain ridge of the Tien Shan, has a length of 350 km, a width of 30 - 40 km, and an average height of 4000 m.
Trans-Ili Alatau rises towards Talgar, Chiliko-Kemin mountains (Talgar peak - 4973 m), and in the eastern direction, to the tracts Dalashyk And Tore, decreases noticeably (3300 - 3400 m). The northern slopes of the mountains are especially clearly cut by numerous rivers, which indicates the influence of the Ice Age on them.
The Trans-Ili Alatau is composed of ancient sedimentary and igneous rocks of the Lower Paleozoic - sandstones, porphyries, granites and gneisses. As a result of the formation of the Caledonian and Hercynian folds in the Paleozoic, and then repeated uplift during the Alpine mountain-building process, the mountain structure became block-folded.
An alpine type of relief has developed on the peaks. Pointed peaks alternate with intermountain plains. Some mountain areas have a stepped relief shape. Ketmen- one of the mid-mountain ranges - located in the eastern part of the Tien Shan.
Its length within Kazakhstan is 300 km, width - 50 km, height - 3500 m. It is formed from effusive sedimentary rocks of the Paleozoic. In some places granite protrudes onto the surface of the relief. The slopes of Ketmen are dissected by the rivers of the Ili basin. Kungey Alatau It is included within the borders of Kazakhstan only on the northern slopes of its eastern part.
The average height of this mountain range is 3800 - 4200 m. The eastern part of Kungei Alatau and Trans-Ili Alatau is separated by river valleys Charyn, Chilik and intermountain plain Zhalanash. Slopes of Kungey Northern Alatau relatively flat and strongly dissected, the tops are aligned.
Chu-Ili Mountains are located in the north-west of the Trans-Ili Alatau. They consist of individual hills that have undergone destruction and severe erosion ( Dolankara, Kulzhabas, Kindiktas, Khantau, Alaigyr and etc.).
The average height is 1000 - 1200 m. The highest point is Aitau, its height is 1800 m. The Chu-Ili Mountains were formed from Precambrian metamorphic rocks and thick layers of gneiss. Their surfaces are composed of sedimentary-effusive rocks of the Lower Paleozoic - shales, sandstones.
The mountain slopes are dry, dissected by deep gorges, the peaks are leveled, to the north-west of these mountains there is Betpak-Dala desert. Kyrgyz Alatau- a large mountain system, its northern slope of the western part is located on the territory of Kazakhstan.
Its highest peak is West Alamedin Peak 4875 meters above sea level . In the Kazakhstan part, the height of the mountains does not exceed 4500 m. To the west, they decrease. The northern slopes are subsided and destroyed mountains.
The surface of the ridge is composed of sandstones, limestones and granites of the Carboniferous period. The ridge has an uneven, highly dissected surface. On the border with Kyrgyzstan, this ridge has an alpine relief type.
Western Tien Shan within Kazakhstan begins south of Kyrgyz ridge, behind Talas Valley. Here rises a chain Talas Alatau(in the vicinity of the city of Taraz). Kazakhstan part Talas Alatau - Zhabagly Mountains And Sairamsky ridge.
The Zhabagly Mountains are divided into two mountain ranges: they form a basin Aksu-Zhabagly rivers(height of the northern ridge - 2600-2800 m, southern ridge - 3500 m). They are also composed of sedimentary and igneous rocks of the Paleozoic
The mountain slopes are dissected, bear traces of ancient glaciation, and are distinguished by an alpine type of relief. Pritashkent mountains consist of several mountain ranges extending southwest from Talas Alatau
These include the Sairam Mountains (the highest point is Sairam peak 4220 meters above sea level, Koksu 3468 meters above sea level, Ugam 3560 meters above sea level, Karzhantau 2839 meters above sea level, Kazykgurt 1700 meters above sea level.
Their geological histories are similar. All of them are composed of Paleozoic limestones. The mountain slopes are steep and the terrain is dissected. Karst phenomena are widespread. Karatau Ridge located on the western outskirts Western Tien Shan.
It extends in a northwest direction for 400 km, its average height is 1800 m. The highest point is Mynzhilki 2176 meters above sea level. To the northwest it decreases and already at the confluence of dry river beds Sarysu And Chu the mountain becomes a plateau.
In terms of geological structure and relief, Karatau is similar to Chu-Ili mountains. It settles, collapses and levels out. Northeastern and southwestern mountain ranges Karatau ridge separated by intermountain valleys.
If its southwestern ridge was formed from Proterozoic metamorphic rocks, then the northeastern ridge was formed from Paleozoic sandstones and shales. The valleys located between the two ridges are composed of red clay.
Mesozoic and Cenozoic deposits of limestone, sandstone and clay are also widespread. The local relief was formed under dry climate conditions. There is no constant surface runoff.
The slopes are dissected by large and small gorges and dry river beds. A large reserve of minerals was found on the territory of Karatau. They are used for the production of lead, zinc and Shymkent lead-zinc plant and providing phosphorus raw materials to chemical plants Taraza.
Ores are mined by open-pit mining. Karatau is a source of building materials - gypsum, cement, etc., which gives the state large profits. The folded base of the southwestern and southern parts of the ridge formed in the Paleozoic era.
The main appearance of the Tien Shan relief was formed during mountain building in the Neogene and Anthropogen periods of the Cenozoic era. Proof of this is the earthquakes occurring in the Tien Shan. The general appearance of the mountain relief is not the same.
The mountains alternate between high peaks, ridges with intermountain valleys, hilly plains, etc. The altitudinal belt of mountains is formed in direct dependence on the geographical location and pattern of mountain ranges. Climate, rivers and glaciers.
Climate of the Kazakhstani part of the Tien Shan mountain system dry, unstable, formed in winter under the influence of polar and in summer tropical air masses. It is influenced by Arctic air masses and the Siberian anticyclone.
The height of mountain ranges and the variety of terrain affect the supply of heat and moisture. Therefore, in autumn and spring there are often frosts in the foothills of the Tien Shan. In the summer months, hot winds often blow - hot winds.
The dry continental climate of the plains in the mountains gives way to a moderately humid continental climate. Winter is long, from October to April-May, summer is much shorter. In Kungey and Terskey Ala-Too, snow sometimes falls as early as August and it becomes quite cold.
Even in May-June there are often frosts. Real summer comes only in July. The time of heaviest precipitation is May. If during this period it rains at the foot of the mountain, then snow falls on its peaks.
On the northern slopes Trans-Ili Alatau Even in the winter months there are often warm days. During the day the snow melts, at night the puddles become covered with ice. Such a sudden change in weather has a destructive effect on the rock.
The climate of the Western Tien Shan is influenced by the warm climatic conditions of southern Kazakhstan. Therefore, in the Western Tien Shan mountains the snow line is located higher than in the east. Here the average annual precipitation is greater - 600 - 800 mm
On the mountain slopes the average July temperature is +20°+25°C, at the foot of the glaciers -5°C. Many rivers flow along the spurs Tien Shan mountains, along intermountain plains. They originate from the northern slopes of the Trans-Ili Alatau the Bolshaya and Malaya Almatinka rivers, Talgar, Issyk, Chilik, Kaskelen, from the eastern slopes of the Tien Shan - Charyn river.
Many of them fall into the Ili River, the flow of which replenishes the water supply of Lake Balkhash. Chu River originates in the Kyrgyz Alatau and after crossing the border of Kyrgyzstan flows through the territory of Kazakhstan
From the southwestern slopes of Karatau flow rivers Arys, Boraldai, Bogen. From the northwestern slopes there are some rivers that are fed by melted snow waters in the spring and dry up in the summer. In the spurs of the Tien Shan there are lakes located in depressions between the mountain peaks. These lakes originate from glaciers.
Below, in intermountain basins, small lakes form. The peaks of the Tien Shan Mountains are covered with glaciers, their especially powerful reserves are concentrated in Chiliko-Keminsky mountain junction. In the Trans-Ili Alatau there are more than 380 glaciers, which occupy mountain valleys with a total area of 478 sq. km.
They are located in the upper part of the basins, where the Chilik, Issyk, Talgar, Bolshaya and Malaya Almatinka, and Aksai rivers originate. The largest glacier is Korzhenevsky (length 12 km). In total, in the Kazakhstani part of the Tien Shan there are 1009 glaciers with a total area of 857 km2
Long-term melting of glaciers and heavy precipitation on hot summer days increase the influx of meltwater to lakes and rivers. This leads to water overflowing its banks and flooding begins.
They cause great harm to the economy and pose a danger to human life. Flora and fauna of the Tien-Shan mountain system. Natural areas of the Tien Shan mountainous country vary along the vertical zone.
These belts developed in direct dependence on the orographic pattern of mountain ranges and geographic location. Due to the diversity of the natural environment and the characteristic features of each mountain range of the Tien Shan, the same belts are not located vertically everywhere at the same height: in one ridge they are higher, and in another they are lower.
IN Northern Tien Shan There are four levels of altitudinal zones. If we count them from the very top, then they begin with glaciers, with alpine terrain covered with eternal snow. And in other ridges the belts begin at an altitude of 2600 - 2800 m, in others - above 3300 m.
There are rolling hills surrounding bare rocks. Natural areas consist of subalpine and alpine meadows and high-mountain landscapes. The mountains are inhabited by leopards, mountain goats, snowcocks, and mountain eagles.
The next altitudinal zone is common in mountains of average height from 1500 - 1600 m and up to 3200 - 3300 m. Small-leaved and coniferous forests mainly grow on the northern slopes of the mountains. The plains are covered with meadows; on the southern slopes there are signs of steppe and meadow-steppe zones.
Spruce-forest belt. 1. Schrenk's spruce. 2. Aspen. 3. Tien Shan rowan. 4. Honeysuckle. 5. Geranium is straight. 6. Siberian larch. 7. Siberian fir. Forests are found only in gorges. Animals inhabited by bears and roe deer.
The belt of low mountains is clearly visible in the Trans-Ili Alatau. Their height is 900 - 1100 meters above sea level. They resemble the small hills of the central part of Kazakhstan. Various types of plants grow on the dark and dark chestnut soils of this territory: herbaceous, woody (pines), shrubs (meadowsweet).
The lowest altitude zone covers intermountain plains and the foothills of the mountains (they are located at an altitude of approximately 600 - 800 meters above sea level). In these territories, signs of desert, semi-desert, and steppe zones are observed.
Grains, melons and horticultural crops are grown here. Meadows are used as pastures for grazing livestock. The altitude zones of the Western Tien Shan, compared to the Northern Tien Shan, are located 100 - 200 meters higher.
They are affected by the arid climate of Central Asia and less moisture. The types of soil and vegetation cover vary depending on the altitudinal zone.

“Heavenly Mountains” are well known to any Chinese. This is what the Tien Shan mountain system is called in China. China is not the only country with celestial mountain ranges. The rocky formation crosses countries such as Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan. The ridge stretches across all of Central Asia.

Features of high mountains

The Tien Shan system has many peaks reaching heights of 6000 meters or more. The unique mountains also have an amazing ecosystem. Their appearance and views are indescribably beautiful, and the pits between them are replete with lakes. There are also fast rivers at the foot of the mountains.

The total length of the ridge is 2500 km. The entire mountain system is divided into the following areas:

Central;
Northern;
Oriental;
West;
Southwestern.

The highest point of the ridge is Pobeda Peak. Its total height is 7439 meters. At one time, Pyotr Semenov and Thomas Atkinson were involved in research on the system. Subsequently, these figures published books about the Tien Shan mountain system, describing their travels and observations in them. They made many discoveries that helped to better understand the ecosystem of the Tien Shan range.

Famous mountain lake

Lake Tianchi is a natural landmark of China. It is located in the Tien Shan mountain system, 100 km from Urumqi. The height of the lake above sea level is 1900 meters. This is the same jade pond, the waters of which in ancient times were endowed with magical properties.

Legends say that the Goddess Sivanmu herself once washed herself in the watery surface of the lake. The reservoir is fed by mountain glaciers, so the water in it is very clean. The nature around is untouched by man and incredibly beautiful.

In summer, tourists relax near the shores of Tianchi, but the water in the lake is not suitable for swimming, as it still remains too cold even on the hottest days.

Tianchi is a lake, looking into which you can see its sandy bottom, as well as reflections of snow-white peaks.

Climate around the Chinese mountains

The arid and sharply continental climate of the Tien Shan is characterized by snowy winters and hot summers.

The higher the mountain peaks stretch, the more precipitation there is. Some mountainous areas are subject to strong winds. The lowlands of the mountain range receive little rainfall and are most suitable for tourism.

Wildlife of the Tien Shan

The mountain range is listed as a UNESCO heritage site. Its territory is inhabited by ferrets, hares, jerboas, gophers, mole voles, mice, rats and poisonous snakes.

Birds are represented in the form of larks, sandgrouses, eagles, bustards and partridges. Of the large animals, the ridge is favored by brown bears, lynxes, wild boars, wolves, foxes, badgers, martens, squirrels and roe deer.

Sometimes in the highlands you can meet a snow leopard. This predator is listed in the Red Book, so they are a rare guest in all their habitats.

Tulips and irises grow on the slopes of the Tien Shan. Tansy trees, cedars, spruces, and aspens grow tall. These places are full of herbs and valuable medicinal plants. During the flowering period of various herbs, the mountain range turns into a colorful fairy tale.

Tien Shan and tourism

The main type of tourism on the territory of the ridge is hiking and mountaineering. Near the mountain range in Kufu there is a Confucian temple. At some bases there are ski slopes.

There are tourist areas and hotels around the mountains. There are restaurants, nearby cities have all the infrastructure a person needs.

In some places you can ride a cable car. The most popular hiking trails are equipped with parking lots for tourists. Sometimes at high altitudes there are campsites and hotels with private rooms. The Tien Shan is so vast and unpredictable that it does not tolerate a rash approach. It is best to go to the mountains with a trusted instructor, observing safety precautions, and notifying the relevant Chinese authorities about your route.

Tien Shan has stunning views, rare nature, clean air and healing energy in the atmosphere. These mountains have always been considered one of the pearls of China, of which, by the way, there are quite a few in the country. They beckoned and beckoned tourists to their heights, opening up unprecedented places for the bravest of them, etched in their memory like the best memories.

On the borders of five countries of Central Asia there are beautiful and majestic mountains - the Tien Shan. On the Eurasian mainland they are second only to the Himalayas and Pamirs, and are also one of the largest and most extensive Asian mountain systems. The Heavenly Mountains are rich not only in minerals, but also in interesting geographical facts. The description of any object is built from many points and important nuances, but only complete coverage of all directions will help to create a complete geographical image. But let's not rush, but let's dwell in detail on each section.

Figures and facts: all the most important things about the Heavenly Mountains

The name Tien Shan has Turkic roots, because the peoples of this particular linguistic group have inhabited this territory since time immemorial and still live in this region. If translated literally, the toponym will sound like Heavenly Mountains or Divine Mountains. The explanation for this is very simple, the Turks from time immemorial worshiped the sky, and if you look at the mountains, you get the impression that with their peaks they reach the very clouds, most likely that is why the geographical object received such a name. And now, some more facts about the Tien Shan.

Where does the description of any object usually begin? Of course, from the numbers. The length of the Tien Shan mountains is more than two and a half thousand kilometers. Believe me, this is a pretty impressive figure. To compare, the territory of Kazakhstan extends for 3,000 kilometers, and Russia extends for 4,000 kilometers from north to south. Imagine these objects and appreciate the scale of these mountains.
The height of the Tien Shan mountains reaches 7000 meters. The system has 30 peaks with a height of more than 6 kilometers, while Africa and Europe cannot boast of a single such mountain.
I would especially like to highlight the highest point of the Heavenly Mountains. Geographically, it is located on the border of Kyrgyzstan and the Republic of China. There has been a very long debate around this issue, and neither side wants to give in. The highest peak of the Tien Shan mountains is the ridge with the triumphant name - Victory Peak. The height of the object is 7439 meters.

Location of one of the largest mountain systems in Central Asia

If you transfer the mountain system onto a political map, the object will fall on the territory of five states. More than 70% of the mountains are located in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and China. The rest comes from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. But the highest points and massive ridges are located in the northern part. If we consider the geographical position of the Tien Shan mountains from a regional perspective, then this will be the central part of the Asian continent.

Geographical zoning and relief

The territory of the mountains can be divided into five orographic regions. Each has its own unique topography and ridge structure. Pay attention to the photo of the Tien Shan mountains, which is located above. Agree, the grandeur and stateliness of these mountains evoke admiration. Now, let’s take a closer look at the zoning of the system:

Northern Tien Shan. This part is almost entirely located on the territory of Kazakhstan. The main ridges are Zailiysky and Kungey Alatau. These mountains are distinguished by their average height (no more than 4000 m) and highly rugged terrain. There are many small rivers in the region that originate from glacial peaks. The region also includes the Ketmen Ridge, which Kazakhstan shares with Kyrgyzstan. On the territory of the latter, there is another ridge of the northern part - the Kyrgyz Alatau.
Eastern Tien Shan. Of the largest parts of the mountain system, we can distinguish: Borokhoro, Bogdo-Ula, as well as medium and small ranges: Iren-Khabyrga and Sarmin-Ula. The entire eastern part of the Heavenly Mountains is located in China, mainly where the permanent settlement of the Uighurs is located; it is from this local dialect that the ranges received their names.
Western Tien Shan. This orographic unit occupies the territories of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The largest is the Karatau ridge, and then comes the Talas Alatau, which got its name from the river of the same name. These parts of the Tien Shan mountains are quite low, the relief drops to 2000 meters. This is because this is an older region, the territory of which has not undergone repeated mountain building. Thus, the destructive power of exogenous factors did its job.
Southwestern Tien Shan. This region is located in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. In fact, this is the lowest part of the mountains, which consists of the Fregan ridge, framing the valley of the same name.
Central Tien Shan. This is the highest part of the mountain system. Its ranges occupy the territory of China, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. It is in this part that almost all six-thousanders are located.

"Gloomy Giant" - the highest point of the Heavenly Mountains

As mentioned earlier, the highest point of the Tien Shan Mountains is called Victory Peak. It is easy to guess that the toponym got its name in honor of a significant event - the victory of the USSR in the most difficult and bloody war of the 20th century. Officially, the mountain is located in Kyrgyzstan, near the border with China, not far from the autonomy of the Uyghurs. However, for a long time the Chinese side did not want to recognize the ownership of the object by the Kyrgyz, and even after documenting the fact, it continues to look for ways to take possession of the desired peak.

This object is very popular among climbers; it is on the list of five seven-thousanders that must be conquered to receive the title “Snow Leopard”. Near the mountain, just 16 kilometers to the southwest, is the second highest peak of the Divine Mountains. We are talking about Khan Tengri - the highest point of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Its height is only slightly less than seven kilometers and is 6995 meters.

Centuries-old history of rocks: geology and structure

In the place where the Tien Shan Mountains are located, there is an ancient belt of increased endogenous activity; these zones are also called geosynclines. Since the system has a fairly decent height, this suggests that it was subject to secondary uplift, although it has a rather ancient origin. Research shows that the base of the Heavenly Mountains is composed of Precambrian and Lower Paleozoic rocks. The mountain strata were subjected to long-term deformations and the influence of endogenous forces, which is why the minerals are represented by metamorphosed gneisses, sandstones and typical limestone and slate.

Since much of this region was flooded during the Mesozoic, the mountain valleys are covered with lacustrine sediments (sandstone and clay). The activity of glaciers also did not pass without a trace; morainic deposits stretch from the highest peaks of the Tien Shan mountains and reach the very border of the snow line.

The repeated uplift of the mountains in the Neogene had a very significant impact on their geological structure; relatively “young” volcanic-type rocks are found in the parent basement. It is these inclusions that are the mineral and metallic minerals in which the Divine Mountains are very rich.

The lowest part of the Tien Shan, which is located in the south, has been exposed to exogenous agents for thousands of years: the sun, winds, glaciers, temperature changes, and water during flooding. All this could not but affect the structure of the rocks; nature greatly battered their slopes and “exposed” the mountains to the very parent rock. The complex geological history influenced the heterogeneity of the Tien Shan relief, which is why high snowy peaks alternate with valleys and dilapidated plateaus.

Gifts of the Heavenly Mountains: minerals

A description of the Tien Shan Mountains cannot do without mentioning mineral resources, because this system brings very good income to the states in whose territories it is located. First of all, these are complex conglomerates of polymetallic ores. Large deposits are found in all five countries. Most of the minerals in the depths of the mountains are lead and zinc, but you can find something rarer. For example, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have established antimony mining, and there are also separate deposits of molybdenum and tungsten. In the southern part of the mountains, near the Fregan Valley, coal is mined, as well as other fossil fuels: oil and gas. Rare elements found include strontium, mercury and uranium. But most of all, the territory is rich in building materials and semi-precious stones. The slopes and foothills of the mountains are strewn with small deposits of cement, sand and various types of granite.

However, many mineral resources are not accessible for development, because the infrastructure is very poorly developed in mountainous regions. Mining in hard-to-reach places requires very modern technical means and large financial investments. States are in no hurry to develop the subsoil of the Tien Shan and often transfer the initiative to the private hands of foreign investors.

Ancient and modern glaciation of the mountain system

The height of the Tien Shan mountains is several times higher than the snow line, which means it is no secret that the system is covered by a huge number of glaciers. However, the situation with glaciers is very unstable, because in the last 50 years alone, their number has decreased by almost 25% (3 thousand square kilometers). For comparison, this is even larger than the area of the city of Moscow. The depletion of snow and ice cover in the Tien Shan threatens the region with a serious environmental disaster. Firstly, it is a natural source of nutrition for rivers and alpine lakes. Secondly, this is the only source of fresh water for all living things that inhabit the mountain slopes, including local peoples and settlements. If changes continue at the same pace, then by the end of the 21st century, the Tien Shan will lose more than half of its glaciers and will leave four countries without a valuable water resource.

Non-freezing lake and other water bodies

The highest mountain of the Tien Shan is located near the highest lake in Asia - Issyk-Kul. This object belongs to the state of Kyrgyzstan, and is popularly called the Unfreezing Lake. It's all about low pressure at high altitude and water temperature, thanks to which the surface of this lake never freezes. This place is the main tourist area of the region; on an area of more than 6 thousand square kilometers, there is a huge number of high-mountain resorts and various recreational areas.

Another picturesque water body of the Tien Shan is located in China, literally a hundred kilometers from the main trading city of Urumqi. We are talking about Lake Tienshi - this is a kind of “Pearl of the Heavenly Mountains”. The water there is so clean and transparent that it is difficult to realize the depth because it seems that you can literally reach the bottom with your hand.

In addition to lakes, the mountains are cut by a huge number of river valleys. Small rivers originate from the very tops and are fed by melted glacial waters. Many of them are lost on the slopes of the mountains, others unite into larger bodies of water and carry their waters to the foot.

From picturesque meadows to icy peaks: climate and natural conditions

Where the Tien Shan Mountains are located, natural zones replace each other with height. Due to the fact that the orographic units of the system have heterogeneous relief, different natural zones may be located at the same level in different parts of the Heavenly Mountains:

Alpine meadows. They can be located both at an altitude of more than 2500 meters and at 3300 meters. The peculiarity of this landscape is the lush, hilly valleys that surround bare rocks.
Forest zone. Quite rare in this region, mainly in inaccessible high mountain gorges.
Forest-steppe. The trees in this zone are low, mostly small-leaved or coniferous. To the south, the meadow and steppe landscape is more clearly visible.
Steppe. This natural area covers foothills and valleys. There is a huge variety of meadow grasses and steppe plants. The further south the region, the more clearly visible is the semi-desert and in some places even desert landscape.

The climate of the Heavenly Mountains is very harsh and unstable. It is influenced by opposing air masses. In summer, the Tien Shan Mountains are under the rule of the tropics, and in winter, polar currents dominate here. In general, the region can be called quite arid and sharply continental. In summer there are often dry winds and unbearable heat. In winter, temperatures can drop to record levels, and frosts often occur in the off-season. Precipitation is very unstable, with most of it occurring in April and May. It is the unstable climate that influences the reduction in the area of ice sheets. Also, sudden changes in temperature and constant winds have a very negative effect on the topography of the region. The mountains are slowly but surely being destroyed.

An untouched corner of nature: animals and plants

The Tien Shan Mountains have become home to a huge number of living beings. The fauna is extremely diverse and varies significantly depending on the region. For example, the Northern part of the mountains is represented by European and Siberian types, while the Western Tien Shan is inhabited by typical representatives of the Mediterranean, African and Himalayan regions. You can also safely meet typical representatives of mountain fauna: snow leopards, snowcocks and mountain goats. The forests are inhabited by common foxes, wolves and bears.

The flora is also very diverse; fir and Mediterranean walnut can easily coexist in the region. In addition, a huge number of medicinal plants and valuable herbs are found here. This is a real phyto-pantry of Central Asia.

It is very important to protect the Tien Shan from human influence; for this purpose, two reserves and one national park have been created in the region. There are so few places left on the planet with untouched nature, so it is important to devote every effort to preserve this wealth for posterity.