The Russian territory is very diverse in geological structure. If a plain is located on its western part, then mountains have seized the south and east. They are very different in age and structure. Sayans, Altai, the Caucasus is the name of mountain systems. They are quite famous. However, this is not all the mountains that are on the territory of Russia. Let's look at some of them.
Caucasus mountains
The youngest mountain system, it is located between three seas: the Caspian, Azov and Black. The Caucasian relief is very diverse: steep rocky peaks covered with glaciers are replaced by slightly gentle slopes, overgrown with dense forests. Alpine meadows smoothly turn into feather grass steppes, and the magnificent gardens and vineyards of the Black Earth region are adjacent to arid areas. The Caucasus Mountains consist of two systems: the Greater Caucasus and Small.
By the number of glaciers, these peaks are champions. Melt water from them feed mountain rivers, famous for their "violent" disposition. The most famous of them are Terek and Kuban. In the mountains and foothills beat mineral springs.
Despite the presence of glaciers, the weather here is mild and warm. Velvet summer lasts up to six months, winter, on the contrary, is quite short. Such conditions attract tourists. There are a large number of resorts. The Greater Caucasus unites the Central, Western and Eastern parts. And the largest mountains of the Elbrus and Kazbek region are the goal of climbers from around the world.
Flora, fauna, minerals of the Caucasus
Plants and animals of the Caucasus, due to the difference in landscape and climatic conditions, are divided by habitat. In the mountains you can meet mountain goats, chamois, lynx, bear, and wild boars, foxes, wolves and steppe birds live on the plain.
The Caucasus Mountains are a large mountain system in Europe and Russia. These edges are also famous for minerals. There are rich deposits of non-ferrous metals and ores, oil and gas deposits. Marble and limestone are mined in the mountains.
Ural mountains
The stone belt dividing Russia into Europe and Asia stretched from north to south. This mountain system of Russia has a length of about 2400 km. The mighty Ural Range is very old. Despite the age, this range still strikes with its grandeur and stateness. The highest point is Mount Narodnaya, located in the polar Urals.
The region owes its industrial, economic growth to the merchants Demidov. With the blessing of Peter I, active entrepreneurs in a short time created an arms and mining industry in the region. To this day, the Urals is a large industrial area.
By its length, the Ural mountain system of Russia crosses several climatic zones: from polar to moderate. The weather is mostly continental. Winter is frosty, long, with snow. Summer is mild in warmth.
Flora, fauna and minerals of the Ural Mountains
The slopes of the mountains cover mixed forests, many species of conifers grow in the neighborhood of birch, maple, oak. In some places you can see relic plants.
The largest animals are bear and elk. Squirrels, hares, wolves, badgers, roe deer and deer are found in the forests. Water open spaces have chosen beavers and otters. This is the land of rivers and lakes, there are a lot of them in the Urals.
The region is rich in minerals. Everyone knows the Ural emerald and malachite; gold, silver and platinum are actively mined. The mountains of the Urals are famous for their iron ore and non-ferrous metals.
The Ural Range is a paradise for cave lovers. Cavers from all over the world come here to visit the magnificent and mysterious Sikiyaz-Tamak, Ignatieff, Kungur and other caves. There are many reserves and national parks in the region.
Mountains of South Siberia
This mountain belt stretched to 4,500 km. The largest mountain systems in Russia, which are part of the South Siberian mountains, are Baikal and Transbaikalia, Eastern and Western Sayans, Altai. The highest point is the Altai mountain Belukha. The entire array is located on moving plateaus, so earthquakes are not uncommon.
The mountain wall is located inside the mainland, so the climate is defined as continental. Winters are sunny and cold, in some gorges the temperature drops to -55 o C. Only in Altai the climate is softer, because this region is characterized by high cloud cover. It protects the array from freezing. Summer is quite short and not very warm.
Water system, fauna and flora
The South Siberian mountain system of Russia is rich in rivers. Here are the sources of the largest watercourses in the region. These are Irtysh, Lena, Ob, Amur and others. The largest and most beautiful lakes are Teletskoye and Baikal. The latter receives 54 rivers, and produces only the Angara. This lake is considered one of the largest reservoirs of fresh water on the planet.
Due to the large extent, mountain forests and tundra are combined here with forest-steppe and steppe sections. The animal and plant world is diverse. There are animals and plants of taiga, steppes and semi-deserts. For example, capercaillie and black grouse, thrush, lynx, snow leopard, chipmunk, ermine and others. The richest minerals, mainly ore, coal and copper.
Khibiny
This is the oldest mountain system in Russia. The array is located on the Kola Peninsula. The highest point is Mount Yudychvumchorr. Surprisingly, the Khibiny are still not really understood.
The climatic background is formed by the proximity of the Atlantic and the Gulf Stream, as well as the influence of the Arctic. Such a mixture creates completely unique and difficult weather conditions. Meteorologists joke that calm days on the Khibiny can be counted on the fingers.
The region has a long winter (almost 8 months), accompanied by strong winds and a short, cool summer. All reservoirs of the region are formed from meltwater and precipitation.
The Khibin natural zone is the tundra; therefore, the animal and plant worlds are not rich.
Deer, martens, Norwegian lemmings, arctic foxes, hazel grouse, polar species of owls live here . All vegetation of the complex is divided into three zones: tundra, forest-tundra and taiga. The vegetation cover decreases as you move to the peaks. In the Khibiny, various rare minerals are being mined. These are apatites, calcium and magnesium carbonates, silicates of iron and aluminum, and many others.