Unfortunate is he who has not seen the Golden Mountains of Altai. After all, the beauty of this place is truly amazing and unique. And everyone who has been here understands that you will not find a more wonderful place on the planet. It is not for nothing that many Russian and foreign writers described the primordial beauty of the Altai Territory with genuine enthusiasm.
Well, let's find out why the Golden Mountains are so remarkable? What power is hidden in them? And why do they so touch the soul of those who have been there?
An old legend
There is an old legend among the local population about how this place appeared. According to legend, one day the Almighty wanted to create a land where all the animals and trees would live in harmony and peace. And so, in order for his choice to be fair, he instructed the eagle, deer and cedar to go around all the lands and find the one where their souls would be joyful and light.
The chosen ones walked for a long time, choosing a new home for themselves. And yet their heart showed them the way to a wonderful valley surrounded by mountains and rivers. As a result, they met in the same place and decided to stay here. PleasedTheir choice of God, for that land was really beautiful, and therefore he blessed it and all those living on it.
Golden Mountains of Russia
But a legend is one thing, and the truth, discovered by scientists, is quite another. So, according to their research, the Golden Mountains were formed due to the collision of Hindustan with the main mainland. It happened back in the Paleozoic era, that is, approximately 500 million years ago.
However, these were completely different mountain ranges, which, under the influence of time, were almost completely destroyed. And only 65 million years ago, new accumulations of minerals began to form on the site of the modern Golden Mountains. And now, after many years, they have become those snowy peaks that delight the eyes of visiting tourists.
As for the name itself, it came from the Turkic "Al" - "gold", and "Tai" - "mountain". However, no one knows why this region was named that way. Perhaps this is due to the sunlight, which repainted the tops of the mountains in a golden hue. Or the reason was the natural we alth of this region, which gave shelter and food to many generations of Altaians.
Where are the Golden Mountains of Altai?
This place is located at the crossroads of countries such as China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Russia. This is the largest mountain system in Siberia, which is really amazing, given the scale of this zone. But the Golden Mountains are famous not for their size, but for their natural we alth.
So, it is here that the largest mountain in Russia, Belukha, or the Two-Headed Peak, is located. Its height is 4509 m, which makes it undeniableleader among his "kinsmen". On average, the mountain range rises 1500-1700 meters above the ground.
It should be noted that quite a large part of these lands is under the protection of UNESCO. More than 16,000 km² are protected from harmful human influence.
Nature of Altai
As mentioned earlier, the Golden Altai Mountains are famous for their unique nature. Much of this is due to the fact that it is an edge of saturated contrasts. So, there are spacious meadows and steppes, dense forests and crystal clear rivers bordering moss-covered rocks.
It is this diversity that captures the spirit of travelers and scientists. It would seem that here you are rushing across an endless field, as in an instant it is replaced by a beautiful forest consisting of fir and spruce. Pleasing to the eye and mountain herbs, many of which are listed in the Red Book and are found only in this region.
However, many plants are medicinal. It was this factor that contributed to the fact that many Altaians prefer traditional medicine to conventional medicine. After all, from her and the benefits, in their opinion, more, and there is a remedy for sores and ailments is always there, literally at hand.
Region of mirror rivers and lakes
The glaciers of the Golden Mountains have given rise to many mountain rivers and lakes. Some of them are so huge and amazing that they rightly began to be called the natural heritage of mankind. So, the largest lake in this region is called Teletskoye. Located at an altitude of 436 m, it stretched for more than 70 km inlength. Its water remains crystal clear both in winter and in summer, as if it were not a body of water, but a large mirror.
Also, the Golden Mountains give rise to such great rivers flowing in Russia as the Irtysh and the Ob. Let here they are still quite small - just mountain streams, but nevertheless it is these mountains that are their home. As for the Altai Territory itself, the Katun is considered the largest river here. The total length of its drain is 688 km. By the way, it is she who, merging with Biya, gives rise to Ob.
But that's not all. Small streams and lakes are scattered throughout the territory of this region, increasing the beauty that the Golden Mountains of Altai are famous for. Photos of these water bodies, bewitching with their freshness and purity, attract tourists from all around and even from other countries.
Fauna of the Altai Mountains
The fauna of Altai is very diverse. Here you can meet both the usual inhabitants of Siberia, such as the wolf, wild boar and deer, as well as very rare ones. In particular, the snow leopard, the irbis and the Siberian snowbuck live in the Altai Mountains.
Don't forget about those animals that preferred the sky and water to the earth. Indeed, thanks to absolute freedom and the almost complete absence of human influence, they feel very comfortable here. That is why you can always see a proud falcon in the sky, and see the reflections of the scales of a large carp in the water.
Altai is a paradise for tourism
All the tourists who have been here have fallen in love with the Goldenmountains of Altai. Photographs taken in this wonderful land will warm their hearts with warm memories for many years to come. And this is no exaggeration!
After all, the secret of Altai lies not only in its good location. An important role is played by the people living in this small paradise on earth. Their kindness and friendliness binds the soul of any traveler who sets foot on their land to this place. And until this changes, the Golden Mountains of Altai will remain as beautiful and amazing as they are now.
