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Kazakh Uplands

Coordinates: 50°26′N 69°11′E / 50.433°N 69.183°E / 50.433; 69.183
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kazakh Uplands
Saryarqa (Kazakh)
Казахский мелкосопочник (Russian)
Landscape of the Karkaraly Range, one of the ranges of the uplands
Highest point
PeakAksoran
Elevation1,565 m (5,135 ft)
Coordinates48°25′26″N 75°28′16″E / 48.42389°N 75.47111°E / 48.42389; 75.47111
Dimensions
Length1,200 km (750 mi) E / W
Width400 km (250 mi) N/ S
Geography
Kazakh Uplands is located in Kazakhstan
Kazakh Uplands
Kazakh Uplands
Location in Kazakhstan
LocationKazakhstan
Range coordinates50°26′N 69°11′E / 50.433°N 69.183°E / 50.433; 69.183
Geology
OrogenyAlpine orogeny
Age of rockPaleozoic, Cenozoic
Type of rockGranite, limestone, schist, quartzite, sandstone
Kazakh Uplands
Ecology
RealmPalearctic
BiomeTemperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands
Geography
Area72,000 km2 (28,000 sq mi)
CountryKazakhstan

The Kazakh Uplands or the Kazakh Hummocks, known in Kazakh as the Saryarqa (Cyrillic: Сарыарқа, pronounced [sɑˌrə(ʔ)ɑrˈqɑ]; lit.'Yellow Ridge'), is a large peneplain formation extending throughout the central and eastern regions of Kazakhstan.[1]

Administratively the Kazakh Uplands stretch across the East Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, Akmola, Ulytau and Karaganda regions. Several notable cities, including the country's capital, Astana, are located in the uplands. There are large deposits of coal in the north and copper in the south.

Geography

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The Kazakh Uplands are limited by the West Siberian Plain to the north, the Irtysh valley to the northeast, the Balkhash-Alakol Basin to the south and southeast, the Turan Lowland to the southwest and by the Turgay Depression to the west.[2]

Rivers such as the Ishim, Sileti, Sarysu, Nura, Kulanotpes, Ashchysu, Tundik and Uly-Zhylanshyk have their sources in the uplands. Lake Tengiz lies in an intermontane basin of the uplands and is the largest of the area. The Kokshetau Lakes are an important tourist attraction.[3]

Subranges

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The uplands include mountain ranges of moderate altitude separated by elevated flat intermontane basins.[4][5] The main ones are:

Ecology

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Parts of the Kazakh Uplands are included in the Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan World Heritage Site. It belongs to the Palearctic temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands ecoregion of the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome.[6] The Karkaraly National Park, Kokshetau National Park, Burabay National Park and Bayanaul National Park are protected areas in the ranges of the upland. Rare species, such as the Asiatic cheetah, may still live in the region.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Казахский мелкосопочник (Kazakh Uplands) Great Soviet Encyclopedia in 30 vols. — Ch. ed. A.M. Prokhorov. - 3rd ed. - M. Soviet Encyclopedia, 1969-1978. (in Russian)
  2. ^ Google Earth
  3. ^ Селеты; Great Soviet Encyclopedia in 30 vols. — Ch. ed. A.M. Prokhorov. - 3rd ed. - M. Soviet Encyclopedia, 1969-1978. (in Russian)
  4. ^ "M-43 Chart (in Russian)". Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  5. ^ "M-42 Chart (in Russian)". Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  6. ^ "Kazakh upland". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
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