Much larger areas than deserts and semi-deserts are occupied by steppes in Kyrgyzstan, which are classified based on altitude above sea level into low-mountain (1000—1600 meters), mid-mountain (1600—2500), and high-mountain (up to 3500 meters). In terms of vegetation composition, they are divided into grass-like and savanna-like.
The very word seems to suggest: empty, hence the desert. In Kyrgyz, it is approximately: чёль (chol). Moreover, this term is used not only for deserts but also for steppes, plains, that is, everything that is not mountains — тоо (too), and not lakes — кёль (köl).
Who hasn’t heard of juniper? Or cedar? Or cypress? Evergreens — in the literal sense of the word: eternal, not metaphorical — possessing a "balsamic" scent, particularly noticeable since ancient times. According to scientists, they have been known since the Cretaceous period, meaning they are over one hundred million (!) years old, at least in the case of cedar. The branches of these plants line the path of the deceased — as a symbol of death and its overcoming, as a symbol of the
A lonely tree does not make a forest. At least, this is what a Kyrgyz folk proverb says. And indeed, it is true. The forests in Kyrgyzstan are unusual — primarily mountainous. Among the ancient Turks, the forest served as an object of worship. And since the forest grows on mountains, the ridge covered with trees is personified: it receives its "own" name. On such a hill, in ancient times, all members of the clan community would gather, where sacrifices were made to Jer-Suu — the main
In Roman mythology, Flora was chosen as the goddess of flowering ears of grain, flowers, and gardens. Tatius erected an altar to her. During the festival of Flora, blooming ears of grain were brought to her altar. For some reason, the festival was forgotten. Perhaps it was because the games in honor of Flora were accompanied by cheerful debauchery, involving the common people and women of loose morals. The very name of the goddess became a term denoting the totality of all types of plants of a
In recent years, the concept of natural heritage has increasingly entered analytical research and the practice of natural resource management. The term "natural heritage" became widely used in scientific discourse in the early 1970s, in contrast to the term "cultural heritage," which appeared several decades earlier. This was related to the preparation and adoption of the UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1972. In
All elements and conditions, as well as phenomena and bodies of nature, can be used in public production to meet the material, cultural, and scientific needs of society and constitute its raw material and energy base, which are called natural resources.
The fauna of the Chui Valley is part of the Western Tienir-Tous zoogeographic region. According to specialists, more than 300 species of vertebrates inhabit this area, including over 15 species of fish, about 280 species of birds, and 50 species of mammals. The densely populated plains of the Chui Valley are mostly developed, and the natural landscape has been significantly altered, leading to a decrease in animal populations each year. In the late 19th century, tigers, wild boars, and others
The Chuy Valley and the northern slope of the Kyrgyz Range is one of the most studied areas of the Republic in terms of flora and geobotany. Significant contributions to the study of the flora of the Chuy Valley have been made by I.V. Vykhodtsev, E.V. Nikitina, A.G. Golovkova, A. Moldoyarov, L.I. Popova, and others.
The soil-vegetation cover of the Chui Valley and its mountainous framing, as the most important components, are subject to the regular altitudinal zonation of landscapes. In general terms, the altitudinal belts coincide with the tiers of relief and climatic zones. The correct determination of altitudinal belts in the mountains currently acquires particular significance, as this concept encompasses the entire range of natural phenomena, and practical measures should evidently also be
There are relatively few lakes in the Chui Valley and its mountainous surroundings, and all of them are small. The Kyrgyz Ridge contains several dozen mountain lakes. The vast majority of these are very shallow lakes, with a diameter of no more than 0.1-0.2 km. Most of the lakes are located at altitudes of 3000-3500 m. They are fed by meltwater from glaciers and snow, as well as rainwater. In the basin of the Issyk-Ata River, there are three lakes with a total area of 0.09 km². The largest
The Chui Valley has a developed river network. The river network is especially dense on the northern slopes of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too. Most of these rivers belong to the basin of the Chu River. The small rivers in the northwestern part of the ridge disappear into the waterless plain as they exit the mountains. The main water artery is the Chu River. The area of the watershed is over 50,000 km². The length of the river, along with the Joong-Aryk River, is 140 km, while within the Chui depression it
Kyrgyz Ridge - the most glaciated area in the northern part of our republic. However, despite this and its proximity to the capital of the republic, it remained unexplored for a long time. Essentially, one of the first researchers of the glaciation of this ridge, who calculated the area of glaciers, was H.L. Korzhenyevsky (1930; 1932). However, a significant contribution to the study of the glaciers of the Kyrgyz Ridge was made by the Leningrad geographer E.V. Maximov (1964, 1972).
The Chui Valley is located in the extreme southern part of the temperate zone, farthest from the oceans and close to the deserts of Kazakhstan, which determines the high amount of heat, continentality, and dryness of its climate. In the central part of the Chui Valley (the capital Bishkek), the average annual sunshine duration is 2584 hours, which is more than in Almaty (by 6-13%) and less than in Cholpon-Ata (2613 hours) and Karakol (2657 hours).
Gypsum reserves are accounted for in six deposits, and extraction is carried out by small enterprises.
Ferrous metals: iron, manganese, vanadium. Non-ferrous metals: aluminum, tungsten, tin, mercury, antimony. Rare and rare earth metals: beryllium, bismuth, tantalum, niobium, gold, silver.
Oil and gas are primarily found along the borders of the Fergana Basin. To date, seven oil fields, four oil and gas fields, two gas fields, and one oil and gas condensate field are known. All developed fields are small in terms of reserves.
Coal deposits in the republic are grouped into 4 basins (Southern Fergana, Uzgen, Northern Fergana, Kavak) and 3 coal-bearing regions (Alaï, Alabuka-Chatyr-Kel, Southern Issyk-Kul). According to experts, coal reserves in Kyrgyzstan exceed 30 billion tons. Coal deposits are mainly concentrated in the Osh, Jalal-Abad, Issyk-Kul, and Naryn regions.
The territory of the republic has discovered deposits of coal, gas, and oil. Among them, coal deposits are the most widespread. In terms of coal reserves, Kyrgyzstan ranks among the leading positions in Central Asia. The deposits of oil, gas, black and non-ferrous metals, precious metals, and other minerals are quite competitive on a global scale.
Groundwater is one of the main water resources of the Kyrgyz Republic (KR). They are characterized by a high content of biologically active mineral (and less often organic) components and possess specific physicochemical properties (radioactivity, etc.), which underlie their effects on the human body and therapeutic applications.
Water resources are vital for the economy, humans, and the environment; they are the most important natural potential influencing the development of the region's economy. Among the natural resources of Kyrgyzstan, fresh water found in glaciers occupies a significant place. Its reserves are estimated at 650 billion m³. Glaciers cover 4.2% of the country's territory. This is where the sources of the Syr Darya basin and other major rivers of Central Asia are located.
Kyrgyzstan is rich in natural resources, with rare metal deposits of gold and sulfur-containing ores in its subsoil. The Jetim Basin contains sedimentary iron ores, with reserves of about 10 billion tons. The Southern Tien Shan has deposits of mercury, antimony, tin, and polymetals. In the Fergana Valley, oil and gas extraction is underway. In terms of geological coal reserves (31 billion tons), Kyrgyzstan ranks first in Central Asia. There are deposits of salt, gypsum, glass sands,
Even during the time of the Kokand Khanate, the wealth of the subsoil of Kyrgyzstan was well known. Local coal, limestone, iron ores, etc., were extracted. However, more accurate information about the mineral resources of Kyrgyzstan emerged during the colonial period. In the early 1890s, intensive exploration and development of coal and oil deposits began in southern Kyrgyzstan. Since 1898, coal seams were being developed in Kyzyl-Kiya — the birthplace of the mining industry in Kyrgyzstan.
The territory of medieval Kyrgyzstan was home to numerous plant species, many of which are endemics representing a highly valuable gene pool for our planet. In accordance with the physical and geographical zones characteristic of Kyrgyzstan, several types of vegetation formed: steppe, tall grass, subalpine, and alpine meadows, unique pistachio, almond, cherry, exochorda, and other shrubs; relict nut-bearing forests, fir, spruce, maple, birch, poplar-willow, and juniper forests.
The main landscape of Kyrgyzstan consists of mountains. Enclosed mountain valleys are surrounded by vast pasture lands, and since the Bronze Age, livestock farming has been the leading sector of economic activity for the ancient population of Kyrgyzstan. In mountainous conditions, the breeding of small cattle became particularly significant. By the Bronze Age, high-altitude pastures accessible by breast were developed, which were used during seasonal migrations.
Increasingly, Western travelers and tourists are seeking exotic vacation spots located "off the beaten path."
In the upper reaches of the Yassy River, on its right bank, there is a whole series of mineral water springs. Kara-Shoro is the most famous among them, known for its carbonated water springs. There are more than twenty of them, with pure cold water that bubbles with gas, rivaling the taste and healing qualities of the most renowned springs in Europe and Asia.
The Chichkan River flows from the north into the Toktogul Reservoir. It is a small river with clear water. It runs through a picturesque gorge with steep slopes and whimsical rock formations. Along the banks of the river runs the main road of the country, connecting the city of Bishkek with the city of Osh. The road gently descends from the Ala-Bel Pass (3184 m), from which the Chichkan River begins. Two ridges loom over the river: the Talas and Suusamyr ridges. The gorge is open to air
Besh-Tash Nature Park is located south of the city of Talas on the northern slopes of the Talas Ala-Too and includes the gorges: Kolba, Besh-Tash, Urmaral, and Kumush-Tag with their branches. In these gorges, rivers of the same name flow with a widely branched network of tributaries. The territory is cut by deep ravines. In summer, the gorges look very beautiful. Juniper thickets are scattered along the slopes. In the upper reaches of the gorges, on the right slopes, there are sparse forests
Kan-i-Gut Cave is located on the southern slope of the Djaman-Chul range, approximately 18 km west of the village of Samarkandyk in the Shadymir area. The local name is Zauk-Kur. It was formed by fissure-like separations of layers and active manifestations of ore karst processes. There are almost no dripstone formations. The cavity consists of numerous grottoes, deep pits (up to 40 m), chimneys, narrow interwoven passages, and corridors. Based on random archaeological finds, scientists
Narrow echoing gorges, through which in the gloomy depths flows a river bound by rocky jaws; tributaries falling into it, hanging villages clinging to the terraces, autumn-blazing orchards of wild apricots, fortresses and burial mounds where once warriors in chainmail and bright cloaks walked, armed with swords and spears - all this is Sokh. Caves, winding paths above the boiling river, rickety bridges, and finally, one of the largest waterfalls, not far from the hidden village of Zardaly
This area is located 40 km from the village of Kadamjay, where the best antimony in the world is produced. Kadamjay is situated along the banks of the Shakhimardan River, which flows down from the northern slopes of the Pamir-Alai. The Shakhimardan River is formed by the tributaries Ak-Suu (on the left) and Kok-Suu (on the right). Below their confluence rise two cliffs: Kala-Choku and Uzun-Choku. In ancient times, these cliffs served as natural fortresses. Many tools of primitive man and
The contrasts of nature in the mountain ranges of Matchi and Karavshin are astonishing, offering grand opportunities for the development of mountain tourism and climbing. The striking peaks, with their smooth edges converging at five-thousand-meter heights into sharp pinnacles, resemble giant crystals adorning the wide ridge of the watersheds of Ak-Suu and Karavshin.
Abshir-Sai (Waterfall Gorge) is located in the mountain valley of the river of the same name, flowing from the northern slopes of the Kichik-Alai mountain range. The distance from the city of Osh to Abshir-Sai is 70 km. The mountainous part of the valley begins with rocky, distinctive gates formed by layers of limestone, standing out against the backdrop of picturesque slopes.
In the interfluve of the Aravan and Ak-Buura rivers lies the unusual land of Chil-Ustun, where karst remnants, arranged in three rows, strikingly contrast with the green backdrop of the floodplains of the foothill valleys, which flow into the oasis of the Fergana Valley beyond the western border. From a geological, or more precisely, geomorphological perspective, the stone islands are remnants of a once large mountain massif. They are composed of sedimentary rocks from the Paleozoic era, which
Kojo-Kelen - a natural and ethnographic complex that is still little known to tour operators. Each year, Kojo-Kelen becomes more famous and attracts more and more tourists. The beautiful village of Kojo-Kelen is located in a wide area of the valley of the Jiptik River, a left tributary of the Ak-Buura River. At the upper edge of the village, fantastic orange cliffs open up along the left bank of the river. At the foot of the cliffs lies the Kojo-Kelen Cave, or rather a pink grotto with a
Kyrgyz-Ata Natural Park is located in the basin of the river of the same name, which flows down from the northern slope of the Kichik-Alaï ridge, about 40 km from the city of Osh along the road leading to the village of Iski-Naukat. The valley is surrounded on all sides by stunningly beautiful pointed peaks, adorned with snow caps, of the Kichik-Alaï range. The cliffs are composed of limestone with outcrops of multicolored marble.
The mountain nodes Achik-Tash and Korumdy are the main and most popular areas for high-altitude mountaineering. Achik-Tash is located in the central highest part of the Zaalai (or Chon-Alaï) ridge. The mountain complex consists of powerful glaciers and peaks: Dzerzhinsky (6716 m), Kyzyl-Aga (6663 m), Estonia (6202 m). The highest and most popular point of the Achik-Tash mountain node is Lenin Peak, which is 7134 m high. From the edelweiss glade located in the Achik-Tash area, which serves as
Suleiman Mountain (Throne of King Solomon) is located in the center of the city of Osh. The height of this mountain at its highest points reaches 100-150 meters, its length is one and a half kilometers, its width including the alluvial fan is 120 meters, and the absolute elevation is 1106 meters above sea level.
Chatkal Valley is 30 to 50 km wide and stretches from the southwest to the northeast for 150 km. The surrounding ridges: Pskem, Talas, and especially Chatkal are characterized by rocky peaks, deep gorges, rocky slopes, and canyons. The average height of the Pskem ridge is 3200 meters, with the highest point being Peak Beshtor (4299 m). The Talas Ala-Too and Chatkal ridges are more elevated, with Peak Chatkal reaching a height of 4503 meters.
Established in 1959, covering an area of 23,868 hectares, it includes unique nut forests and mountainous landscapes with picturesque lakes. Sary-Chelek Reserve is characterized by rich biodiversity. First of all, it is worth noting about 1,000 species of herbaceous plants (which make up 73% of the species of the entire Western Tien Shan), 40 species of mammals, 157 species of birds, and 7 species of reptiles. 30 species of plants and 4 species of animals residing in the reserve: the Tien Shan
Gava-Sai Gorge is a right tributary of the Kara-Unkur River, located 20 kilometers northwest of the district center Bazar-Korgon. In its middle part, about five kilometers long, lies the village of Uzbek-Gava. Surrounded by picturesque nature, it has been home to Uzbeks since ancient times. Not far from the upper boundary of the village, in the forest, there is an experimental site of the national institute of nut growing. From it, a magnificent walnut forest stretches in all directions, where
Arslanbob Massif The extensive relict massif of wild walnut forests, preserved since ancient times, is a unique natural monument of global significance. This forest massif occupies the foothills of the Fergana Range, which borders the Fergana Valley from the north. According to scientists, the forests originated in the Cretaceous period, which lasted 70 million years. This was followed by the Tertiary period, which lasted another 60 million years. At the beginning of the Tertiary period, the
Remoteness, wildness, and mystery are the concepts that characterize and give an idea of this region of the Tian Shan. Before the collapse of the USSR, these areas were closed off. Only border guards and, with rare exceptions, shepherds occasionally ventured here. Almost the entire territory of the region is occupied by hard-to-reach ridges: Kokshaal-Tuu Barkaldy, Karla-Tuu. The prevailing absolute heights of the ridges range from 3400 to 5600 meters. The highest point, Dankov Peak (5982
Naryn State Reserve is located 50 km east of the city of Naryn on the left bank of the river. The main objects of protection in the reserve are the Schrenk spruce and the population of maral (red deer).
Muzdag Mountains, Khan Tengri Peak, and Victory Peak. The Muzdag mountain range (ice mountains) is located in the Central Tien Shan and occupies its highest area. For extreme tourism enthusiasts, this region, also known as the "Arctic," offers a wide variety of challenges. In the summer, a corporate climbing camp operates here, organized by various tour operators.
Kekemeren River is one of the most amazing and beautiful rivers in Kyrgyzstan. The Kekemeren is formed by the confluence of the impressive rivers Suusamyr and Eastern Karakol. The beauty of the Kekemeren lies in its mighty energy, unusual greenish color, multicolored steep banks, striking bends, rapids, and floodplain forests. For 199 km, up to its confluence with the Naryn, stretches the realm of the "Green River" (as some tourists call the Kekemeren). Along the riverbank, there is
Ala-Medin. The Ala-Medin Valley is located 25 km from Bishkek. The valley opens up through the so-called "Wolf Gates," beyond which it unfolds. The surrounding steep cliffs resemble the ruins of ancient fortresses. The gorge, which climbs steeply upward, widens at its sources, forming the picturesque Salik Valley. The areas covered with a variety of alpine meadow grasses are adorned with beautifully arranged rocks and adjacent cliffs. Here, in the upper part of the left bank of the