The state of Uzbekistan is located in Central Asia. Mountain systems pass through many countries located in this part of the world: Pamir, Kun-Lun, Tien Shan, Himalayas. But I wonder if there are mountains in Uzbekistan? Let's take a closer look at this topic.
Mountain systems of Uzbekistan
The main part of the republic is located on the plains, but the mountainous area occupies a little more than 21% of the entire country. The height of the ridges averages from 2 to 3 thousand meters. Through the country from east to west stretched the mountain systems of the Pamir and Tien Shan. The total area of the mountains of Uzbekistan is 96, 000 km 2.
There are also low mountains with a height of not more than 500 m, for example, Sultan-Uvais, and four-thousanders - peaks covered with eternal snow, located on the Gissar Range.
According to geological data, the mountains of Uzbekistan are very old. For millions of years, thanks to the rivers flowing from the peaks, canyons with picturesque landscapes have formed. The most famous of them are Kulsaysky and Langarsky, as well as Gulkamsky gorges.
Most mountains have gentle slopes. Roads pass through the ridges; there are passes connecting various regions of the country.
The highest mountain in Uzbekistan
The highest in Uzbekistan is the Gissar range, which belongs to the Pamir-Alai mountain system. It serves as a watershed of the Amu Darya and Zarafshan. The length of the ridge is up to 200 km.
Hazret Sultan Peak is the highest in Uzbekistan. Previously, it bore a completely different name - the peak of the Name of the XXII Congress of the CPSU. Its height is 4643 m. There is a peak on the Uzbek-Tajik border.
Gissar Range
The bulk of this mountain range is located in Tajikistan, and in Uzbekistan the ridge crosses the south of the country. The highest point is located on the border of these states. The Hissar Range has a different landscape. In the western part, mostly hilly slopes, and closer to the east they are transformed into powerful rocky massifs. Canyons formed by large rivers formed millions of years.
In the central part of the ridge is the reserve of the same name. Here you can find a huge variety of animals and birds, many of which are listed in the Red Book. In the area of the Gissar Range live:
- Snow leopards;
- golden eagles;
- white-clawed bears;
- Turkestan lynxes and so on.
The plant world is no less rich. On the slopes there are numerous groves of maple, ash and juniper. Various grasses and flowers grow in the meadows.
Tourism in this region is not too developed, so the Hissar Range is not very popular. Although there is something to see. The most famous sights are:
- The Maidanak Observatory is a modern high-tech construction located in a mountainous area.
- Teshik-Tash cave - is sacred for Uzbeks.
- Baysun village is a place where the memory of the disappeared Greek-Bactrian culture and the Kushan kingdom has been preserved.
- Kulasay Canyon is a picturesque area where you can see firsthand the fossilized traces of giant reptiles that lived millions of years ago.
Chatkal Range
The Tien Shan mountain system is one of the largest in Central Asia. Its western branch, the Chatkal Range, stretches through the territory of such states as Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Uzbekistan. The mountains in this region reach 3, 000 meters. The largest peaks are:
- Big Chimgan (3309 m).
- Babaytag (3555 m).
- Chatkal (4503 m).
- Kyzylnur (3267 m).
- Aukashka (3099 m).
The length of the Chatkal Range is about 200 km. On its slopes, not far from Tashkent, there are tourist centers: Beldersay, Yangiabad, Chimgan. Holidays in the mountains are most popular in the spring and autumn. This is a great place for climbing various difficulty, so this is one of the favorite places for climbers. At the foot of the Chatkal ridge, you can visit villages that have preserved the ethnic flavor of the Uzbek people. Especially popular are the villages of Nevich, Sukok and Brichmulla.
The places here are truly unique: picturesque meadows, fields dotted with red poppies, numerous vineyards, deep canyons … But the main pearl is the Charvak reservoir, located at the foot of the Chatkal ridge.
Nurata mountains
This part of the mountains of Uzbekistan is less high in comparison with the Chatkal ridge. The highest point of the Nurata Mountains reaches 2169 m. It is called Hayatbashi. This ridge stretches along the central part of the state: from the east from the village of Jizzakh to the west, to the city of Nurat, which is located in the Navoi region. It is with the latter that the name of the mountains in Uzbekistan is associated.
Despite the fact that the ridge has a relatively small height, there are numerous rocky areas. Samarkand is the largest city closest to this area. However, residents of villages located on the northern slopes can get to it through the Nurata Mountains only by detour. There is not a single road through the ridge, so the path lies through the cities of Nuratu and Jizzakh.
Since the mountains in this region are not too high, snow cover almost completely disappears by mid-April. Nearby is the Kyzyl Kum desert, despite this, in the mountains the climate is mostly temperate-continental.
The flora and fauna of this region is very diverse. There are also endemic species of flora and fauna. In the central part of the ridge is the Nurata Reserve, which was founded in 1975. In the mountains you can find a black vulture, a Kyzylkum mountain sheep, golden eagle, etc. In spring, red-book plants bloom in the meadows: Eremurus Nuratavsky, Tulips Korolkova and Turkestan, and many other flowers.
Zaamin mountains
The northwestern part of the Turkestan Range is located near the city of Jizzakh, as well as slightly south of Zaamin. It is called Zaamin Mountains. Most of the ridge is territorially related to Tajikistan. The Uzbek side offers a picturesque view: mountain slopes covered with forests. In this area there is a health-improving complex, which is called "Zaamin."
Despite the fact that the Zaamin mountains are also located on the territory of Uzbekistan, the climatic conditions, and indeed nature itself, are very different from other mountain systems in this region. Unlike the Nurata and Chatkal ranges, coniferous vegetation prevails here. Forests cover an area of several hundred hectares. The smell of wood tar is floating in the air.
In the Zaamin mountains there is a reserve of the same name. The border between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan passes through the ridge, because of this the possibility of hiking is limited. But still there is something to see. Tourists can visit the foothill region of Pshagar, where there is a picturesque gorge with a cave. There is an opportunity to get acquainted with the history and life of the local population, as well as visit the holy place for Uzbeks - Khuzhai Sebor-Ota.
Chimgan
Many will be interested to know which mountains in Uzbekistan have the most developed tourist infrastructure. This place is located in a picturesque corner of the globe and is a favorite among residents of Tashkent and visitors. The Chimgan Mountains in Uzbekistan is a spur of the Chatkal Range, which, in turn, is part of the Western Tien Shan. It is here that one of the most popular ski resorts in Central Asia is located.
Tourists who want to go to Uzbekistan should definitely visit Chimgan Mountains. The resort is located 80 km from Tashkent. The recreation area is located in the valley of the same name, at an altitude of up to 1600 m. It is surrounded by mountains, and the largest peak is Big Chimgan. Juniper forests, various medicinal herbs, as well as poppies grow on the slopes. In this area you can admire mountain lakes, rivers and even waterfalls. Traces of ancient history have been preserved in the caves; these are nothing but the famous petroglyphs on the walls. Tourists can visit the underground halls, where they will see the statues created by nature itself: stalagmites and stalactites.
The ski resort has all the conditions for skiing and freeriding. You can also ride a snowmobile, sled, snowboard and ice skate. All the necessary equipment can be rented at specialized points, which are available in almost all hotels. It features a cable car. The ski resort operates from December to March.
With the advent of spring and until the end of summer lovers of mountain tourism come to this region. Vacationers can climb the Big Chimgan, take a paraglider or ride a horse.
