Confluence of the rivers Ak-Alakha and Kalguty. The Ukok Plateau and the Tabyn-Bogdo-Ola Mountains. Russia
The Ukok Plateau is situated where four countries (Russia, Kazakhstan, China and Mongolia) meet. This is an ancient flatland, which was considerably raised in the course of neo-tectonism. The plateau is 2,200 - 2,500 meters above sea level. In the South the plateau borders with the South Altai Ridge and the Tabyn-Bogdo-Ola mountain knot. The name “Ukok” is translated as “elongated cupboard”. This was an old name for flat-topped mountains. According to another version, the name of the plateau can be translated as “heavenly, high blood Turkic clan”. Ancient inhabitants of Altai believed that it was Ukok where mythological “heavenly pastures” were located. This was the place for which souls of the dead left. The climate of Ukok is severe. Summer is short and cold. The average temperature of the warmest month, July, does not exceed 10°C (50ºF), at the same time night frosts and snow are not rare. Winter comes early, in September or October. In winter air temperature can reach 50°C below zero (-58ºF). In winter there is strong wind and little snow. On the Ukok Plateau there are many rivers and lakes which appeared as a result of the ancient glaciations. The biggest lakes are the Kaldzhin-Kol-Bas, Kaldzhin-Kol, Alakhinskoye, Gusinoye, Beloye and Ukok. The Ak-Alakha River valley is especially rich in lakes. Big lakes are plentiful in fish. Ukok has many archeological monuments. In the Bertek lowland, in the valleys of the Ak-Alakha and the Kalguty Rivers, petroglyphs, barrow-like tomb mounds, memorial complexes and stone sculptures were found.
Size: 4925px × 4988px
Location: Ak-Alakha Kalguty River Ukok Plateau Tabyn-Bogdo-Ola Mountains Altai Altay Russia Russian Federation
Photo credit: © Pavel Filatov / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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